Messengers of Peace
Dr Mohan talks about walking the extra mile with his patients as he looks after them on the SARI ward. This page is taken from the Messengers of Peace collection we published a few months ago. The amazing document collates stories from staff working in the hospital and how they have responded to the CoVid pandemic. What is unusual, is that the stories do not just come from doctors and nurse on the front line. But they also include stories from our unsung heroes. Our staff who are rarely seen but without whom the hospital could not run.
We will put the stories into web pages over the coming months so you can read their tales on phones, tabs or laptops.
Walking the Extra Mile
Dr. Mohan*, Physician, shares his experiences:
Every time I go on COVID-19 duty I am extra vigilant. In my mind, I keep rehearsing the steps for donning PPE. I’m determined to avoid unwanted contact and risk infection, especially as my wife is pregnant.
Once I enter the ward, my fears are set aside as I focus on my patients. Their masks cannot hide the anxiety on their faces. I talk through my mask and headgear, trying to reassure them. Usually, I can communicate with body language and a compassionate touch. But now, they can only see my eyes.
We play the role of family
Our patients are all alone as their family members have been sent away for home quarantine. We play the role of the family for them. We provide food, medicines and take care of their needs. It is very difficult to be isolated for so long, especially during Easter or Ramzan when the community prays together.
Wrong perspective?
Sometimes it feels like we are looking at the virus with a magnifying glass but missing the real problems of our patients. They have lost their income during lockdown. How can they keep social or physical distance in their small houses and slums? There is so much stigma and discrimination against them and their families for having this infection. As doctors, we have to understand these factors and how they affect the recovery of our patients.
I discuss each patient with my team of colleagues. When dealing with other illnesses, we are a team of experienced doctors. It is the same with COVID-19. Only 5-10% of cases will need ICU care, for others the symptoms will be mild. For the last six weeks, our team has been taking appropriate precautions.
We treat our patients with love and help allay their fears. We are privileged to walk the extra mile with them during these difficult COVID times.
Dr Mohan
Story contributed by Dept of General Medicine; *name changed
Stories from CMC Staff.
This story is one of many from our staff and put together at the beginning of the pandemic. Download your free copy of
Messengers of Peace,
Stories from the frontlines of
CMC’s response to Covid-19
Information about COVID
The CMC website has information and resources about CoVid for everyone. This includes appointments at CMC, expert views on the disease, how to wear a mask etc. You can read it here:
CoVid Information
Did you know?
CMC’s first batch of women physicians joined for training in 1918, the year of the Spanish flu pandemic.
