It’s a war against an invisible enemy, says doctor

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, May 12

“It’s not just a question of medical challenge, but a war against Covid-19, an invisible enemy. Hence, we (doctors and health professionals) should be battlefield ready,” says Dr Rajesh Raju.

He has just finished a month of duty in an isolation ward at the Civil Hospital here, looking after Covid-19 patients. He is now posted in the OPD of the hospital.

Dr Raju, who is the head of the TB and Chest Department at the Civil Hospital, has isolated himself from his family members to prevent any risk to them of getting infected with the virus.

“We have to be careful for their sake. When I return home from work, I straightaway go to my room without interacting with anyone. I wash clothes on my own. I even have my own set of utensils,” says the 49-year-old doctor, who stays in Chandigarh.

Asked about his experience in dealing with Covid-19 patients, he says: “We have to remain vigilant all the time. We need to ensure that we don’t get infected, and also that we don’t take the virus back home. Despite all this, we are committed to serving patients. Only cowards run away from the battlefield.”

Emotional support works

“Not just medical care, emotional support also helps Covid-19 patients. It keeps their confidence high in the fight against the invisible enemy,” says Dr Rajesh Raju.

Difficult to work while wearing PPE

“It is not easy wearing and working in PPE. We have to remain without food and water after wearing the PPE for six to eight hours. Even going to the washroom is out of question during the duty hours. We don’t take any liquid after wearing the kit and feel dehydrated most of the time. However, precautionary measures are a must to keep ourselves safe,” says Dr Raju.