An Indian businessman who recovered from coronavirus has converted his office into an 85-bed facility to provide free treatment for the poor.

The coronavirus epidemic is still raging in the world's second-most populous nation, with the number of infections passing 1.5 million on Wednesday, and almost 35,000 deaths.

A man adjusts a bed inside the office of Indian businessman Kadar Shaikh, who converted his business premises into a cornavirus ward for the poor after recovering from the illness
A man adjusts a bed inside the office of Indian businessman Kadar Shaikh, who converted his business premises into a cornavirus ward for the poor after recovering from the illness AFP / -

With public hospitals struggling to cope, Kadar Shaikh spent 20 days in a private clinic last month in the western city of Surat -- and was horrified by the bill.

"The cost of treatment at a private hospital was huge. How could poor people afford such treatment?" property developer Shaikh told AFP.

An Indian businessman who recovered from coronavirus has converted his office into an 85-bed facility to provide free treatment for the poor
An Indian businessman who recovered from coronavirus has converted his office into an 85-bed facility to provide free treatment for the poor AFPTV / Kushal Pandya

"So I decided to do something and contribute in the fight against the deadly virus."

Once back on his feet, Shaikh secured approval from local authorities to convert his 30,000-square-feet (2,800-square-metre) office premises.

Anyone can be admitted, he said, regardless of "caste, creed or religion".

Coronavirus