Every year on 15th August, the streets of India are filled with tricolour flags to celebrate the freedom we won from the Britishers in 1947. This Independence Day we honour and salute the sacrifices made by our corona warriors to keep the country safe and secure. The highly infectious disease of 2019-20 has been declared pandemic and has spread like wildfire from one nation to the other.
Needless to say, our doctors and health workers are putting their own lives at risk with selfless determination for the sake of saving lives. Since the coronavirus outbreak, health-care professionals have not only experienced the gratification of healing patients and saving their lives but have also lost many battles along the way.
On the occasion of this Independence Day, let’s celebrate the story of one such medical hero that is truly inspiring!
Dr Savita M. Sonawane, a Pathologist from Aurangabad Government Hospital has been working continuously for COVID patients since March 13th, 2020. She and her team have treated over 10,000 patients and most of them have recovered. Our discussion was centred around what medical professionals go through personally, and how their families feel about what they do.
It is emotionally very challenging to stay away from your children and partner. You can’t hug or cuddle them because you are worried about their health. You have to maintain complete social distancing just to make everyone’s sacrifice worth it.
A lot went through the Medical professionals’ minds when the pandemic was declared and they had to be at the forefront to fight it. The most difficult phase was at the very beginning, mostly because of how uncertain the things were and also because they felt responsible to make their family understand the depth of the situation. Dr Savita says that when you sign up for a profession you automatically sign up for the responsibilities that come along with it. It is very similar to being in the Army in times of war. It is a “do-or-die situation” and there is no turning back.
She along with her team has been working with infectious people every day and that makes it vital that there is no lapse in their preparations.
Savita’s latest experience has changed her outlook towards the profession.
The past few months have made me realize that if I have to serve people as a doctor, I have to work in the public sector. It’s mostly Government Medical colleges and hospitals in the country that are fighting the pandemic.
COVID-19 has changed the definition of the term uncertainty for doctors. “We see and experience fear and misery among patients and doctors alike.”
According to Dr Sonawane, COVID is like any other viruses and it will have its end too. It might take longer but everything comes to a saturation point. In these times our greatest learning is that nothing matters more than our health. We must start caring about our bodies and intake immunity-boosting food supplements to fight the disease. Doctors from all across the world are innovating and discussing all possible ways to get rid of COVID 19 as soon as possible.
Till then the most satisfying part of our job is that we are in a position to make a difference.
While each one of us cannot be in Dr Savita’s position to make a difference, we can at the very least stay hopeful and positive and make proactive efforts to keep ourselves healthy. Let’s work together to free our country from any future pandemics.
