They Brave Fear To Serve From The Front

The mounting challenges faced by the healthcare warriors — both on the personal and professional front — are unparalleled. But their unforgettable tryst with COVID-19 patients is something the city is yet to take note of. They are exhausted and drained at the end of the day. But they continue to serve from the frontline, braving fear and a highly contagious and deadly virus.

Dr Sakthi Srinivasan, 31, a general surgery post-graduate student with Madras Medical College and Hospital claims the virus has changed his life cycle. Currently posted at COVID-19 ward at Government Vellore MCH, Sakthi attends to 60-70 patients daily.

“After COVID-19, life will be more stressful. Now it is one week in a COVID ward and the second week in quarantine. We have 24 hours of duty thrice a week. It has been two months since we started following this cycle. The caseload is high everywhere and each case in OP is a potential suspect case. Despite the shutdown, people are yet to understand the gravity of the situation. While on the other, the government is failing to ensure protective gears for doctors in the general OP,” said Sakthi.

Sakthi said that while some of the patients are cooperative and even pray for them, some have made life tougher for the doctors. “The house owners of my colleagues have asked them to vacate rented rooms post COVID-19. They fail to understand our plight. There are many among us whose marriages have been called off. Even then, we are trying to give the utmost care with available resources to patients. My request to people is to treat doctors at least as human beings,” he added.

Sakthi has been away from his family for more than two years now, keeping in touch through video calls. However, COVID-19 has impacted that as well and sometimes he gets to speak to the family after days. “Leaving behind family during a medical disaster like COVID-19 is stressful but there’s no choice. It’s my job and I have to do it,” said Sakthi adding: “My parents, however, reassure me and motivate me to keep serving.”

Nurses are another section doing a stupendous job. Anandi, 50, of Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, has been away from her home for days in a row now.

Working on 12-hour night shifts, it had been a week since her recent duty at COVID ward resumed. “I was in COVID-19 OP earlier for more than two weeks. After testing samples post-one-week duty, we will be quarantined for one week in a hotel,” she said.

With two daughters and husband at home, Anandi rues that she’s not able to cook or take care of them. “I couldn’t talk to them for the last three days and don’t know when I am going to see them. Even when I get to talk to them, it is not more than five minutes. Also, the network at the hostel where I am quarantined is poor,” she said.

Talking about the patients, Anandi said it is the nurses who they find most approachable. “It is very hectic at times as the kin of the patients create problems and demand they be allowed to meet them. The patients too, being in the hospital for long, are stressed,” she said.

Acknowledging that the government is providing good food and accommodation, read quarantine facilities, Anandi is worried about one thing. “The workload, it’s stressful, and there are fear and anxiety all around,” she said.