“Recently, a couple was tested Covid-19 positive and admitted to Gandhi Hospital, where I work. They were assigned different wards and the wife was pregnant. When I met her, she had no clue where her husband was. She was scared for the child’s health. I enquired around and asked her husband to write a note for her. When I gave it to her, she teared up. On the day of her discharge, she met each one of us and thanked us for helping her. Honestly, none of my colleagues nor I were asked to do this. We were only being thoughtful and supportive during these volatile times, apart from doing our duty as doctors.
It’s been a difficult time for us, coming to the Covid-19 ward everyday, knowing that we’ll go back home to old parents. Many doctors have also faced a lot of hardships, like when one of the Covid-19 patients passed away due to complications, and the agitated family hit my colleague and broke equipment. While I understand such news is hard to take, causing damage to hospital property or harming another person is not okay. During such times, we expect the authorities to stand up for us. Some patients get unruly and spit on us because things don’t go as expected.
But how many of them think about our struggles? Everyday when I get to the ward, I spend 30 minutes in wearing the PPE kit.
I walk into the ward and spend 12-16 hours there in the same kit. Before I go back home, it takes me another 30 minutes to remove it, de-sterilise and take a shower. I had long hair but because I couldn’t wash it everyday after going home, I cut it! It’s a lot of work, stress and tension because we’re constantly in the fear of being infected.
However, this is the time for us to stand up and be strong. It’s the time to serve and fulfill the values we have imbibed as doctors. My grandmother, who passed away when I was in school, was the one who inspired me to be a doctor. Everyday I think of her and how proud she must be for all that I’m doing today. It’s going to be difficult going forward but we need to be cautious and aware of all the symptoms. We need to respect those in service and support each other during these times.”
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