It is said that ‘medicines can cure diseases but only doctors cure people’ and having said that doctors and health care workers can be termed as real gems of society. Just thanking them for their important work is not enough. Without the medical fraternity, society wouldn’t be a whole after such a terrifying pandemic. Many doctors spoke about the atrocities they faces during the nightmare COVID pandemic here in Goa and how they got through it and saw the end of the rainbow.
Amid the pandemic, the role of doctors and healthcare workers were enhanced and they became heroes in white capes which saved everyone from much distress. Dr Samiksha Kudchadkar, Curchorem based obstetrician and gynaecologist, spoke about her transition from the stressful state of the COVID pandemic and all the lessons that came in-between. She said, “It has been a rollercoaster ride where you are unaware of what turn comes next and every turn surprises you greatly. One lesson that I have learned as a doctor is every symptom is important, you never know which entity you can catch next before it turns into a pandemic.”
Dhanya Bhosale, a student in the 7th semester, felt fortunate that she could lend a hand during this major crisis even though she was unable to perform any significant work. She shared, “During COVID, medical students were sent to COVID wards rather than our colleges. Fully occupied with PPE suits, sweating to an extent, as the AC or fans were typically forbidden in the rooms due to the risk of virus transmission. There is no air circulation for yourself. Even basic thinking, like dosage calculation, suffers majorly in the heat and dehydration.”
The pandemic really drained the State of all its resources which included the healthcare staff. Sergio Martires, an orthodontist by profession, had to join the COVID ward taskforce at GMC, Bambolim. He spoke about his journey and how everyday was a lesson in that ward and how the healthcare space developed over the last 2 years. He said, “While the pandemic might have taken a lot from us and has been draining, it has also enhanced the concept of safety precautions within the clinic space.” Gina Maria Silveira, also a dentist by profession had to also contribute her expertise in the ward during the second wave. She said, “When COVID first hit us in 2020, it was scary because it was an unknown assailant. We didn’t know what it was and what it was capable of. Fear gripped people everywhere. As dental practitioners working with equipment that releases aerosols, we found ourselves in a very risky situation. The transition was gradual, as we went from doing only emergency procedures to all procedures wearing PPE, to now being more relaxed and only shielded by our lab coats, scrubs, face shields and masks. As the cases of COVID decreased, so did our fear and apprehension.” Gina additionally said, “Being a dentist, this has been a great learning experience. We were thrown into unknown territory. We were posted in the COVID ward and forced to step up to the challenge. We weren’t used to facing dying patients and had to get accustomed to it overnight. I have massive respect for all the doctors that braved this pandemic, risking their lives and staying away from their families to be the superheroes they are. It feels good to be back to the pre-COVID era but I think we shouldn’t forget the lessons we learnt along the way.
In honour of all the doctors that have contributed to the welfare of the lives of the community and have been battling these cases in the eye of the storm, the doctors of all fields shared their bitter experiences of the pandemic. Dr Samiksha recalled an incident which happened in the height of the pandemic where doctors were threatened and slandered. She shared, “I remember an incident where in a doctor was defamed for charging a certain amount in the bill. Services don’t come for free to us! Government doesn’t pay the doctors. All the machinery has been bought from our pockets. COVID patients required expensive medicines and ventilator support which also cost the doctor.” She concluded by talking about how doctors, despite the ease on the number of COVID-19 cases, are still cautious about handling patients and their protective families. She said, “I can’t say for sure as of yet that the sword is no more hanging over you. We are still careful and the fear will still be around the corner for a few years.”Like Samisksha, Dhanya recalled the bitter experiences using the PPE kits and all the difficulties she had to face as a student sent out to fight the war of COVID. She said, “I still recall inserting a central line once while using ultrasonography. As soon as I inserted my needle, my hood fogged up and I was unable to see anything. I couldn’t move at all despite the nurse telling me I was in. Dehydration caused the back to begin spasming, and vision had vanished.” She added another experience to the roster as she spoke about the horrible news one had to deliver or receive. She shared, “Imagine receiving something as you leave for work that could kill a member of your family when you return. I think about it every day.”
With the amount of pressure and ‘highs and lows’ of the pandemic, Sergio learnt a few things which he cared to share and also added his experience about the backlash doctors faced during the peak of the pandemic. He said, “I learnt to value life and people more than just the surface level. Life is unpredictable and we must live every moment to the fullest. Honestly that was really ridiculous and shocking to know that people can be so ungrateful to a community that put their personal lives on hold for over two years. It’s a lesson within itself and sad that people asked doctors to vacate their spaces due to fear which frankly is a bigger disease.” He additionally elaborated, saying, “I wouldn’t dare say that covid doesn’t exist anymore but I’ll say this that we’ve learnt to co-exist knowing fully well that that is the way forward. Live your life to the fullest!”
Gina lastly spoke about the lesson she learnt from this experience. She said, “We took it for granted for too long and this pandemic forced us to sit back and reflect on what truly mattered to us. It made me less materialistic. It showed me how unpredictable life is and I’ve tried to live a happier, more wholesome life since then, chasing experiences rather than materialistic goals.” Dhanya also agreed not to take doctors for granted and also said, “They were much more vulnerable to the virus then anyone as frontline workers. No matter how prepared you are there will be something which can eliminate all your preparedness. Life is so sensitive, one never know what going to happen next.”
This Doctors Day, before we celebrate the work of our doctors, let us look back on all their sacrifices and appreciate their losses throughout the entire pandemic where they have been protecting us selflessly.
