“If Mother Teresa was alive today, would she be sitting at home or doing her bit to save lives? As a nurse, that’s who I derive inspiration from. In my 29 years of service I’ve always put my profession first. In times like this, it’s even more important that I do my duty instead of staying at home. There is a fear of getting infected – no doubt. But if we choose to be selfish, who will take care of the patients? Although I work in Niloufer hospital and don’t deal with positive cases directly, I have been closely associated with suspected cases. I work in a children’s ward, which means we have to be doubly careful with every thing.

I use all the protective gears and equipment to make sure I don’t infect any patient nor get infected by anybody. At the end of the day, I have a family to go back to. Every day before I leave for work, my daughter hugs me and says, “Be safe Amma”. My family members are my biggest supporters. They are proud of me for being strong and bold in these volatile times. Recently, the military forces showered flowers to appreciate our work; The World Health Organization declared 2020 as the year of Nurse & Midwife – all of this makes me proud and happy. However, when I am home, I have seen that a few neighbours don’t talk to me anymore. An old couple used to greet me everyday but now they don’t open their doors to me. I understand their fear – there’s stigma attached to this virus and that can’t be denied. This is why creating the right awareness is important. I see people acting carelessly: not everybody wears masks, some spit on the road or cough without covering their mouth. We must take this pandemic more seriously than we are. This International Nurse Day, I want to ask people to be more sensitive towards those of us who are working for their safety. I want them to listen to what the doctors are saying and take all precautionary measures. We’re working for you, so you just stay home and stay safe.”

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