Like soldiers on the frontline, doctors are performing their duties during the ongoing pandemic with utmost diligence. We need to acknowledge their contribution and should express the gratitude in these testing times. We salute these warriors on National Doctors’ Day
Ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, apart from prayers, people have been reaching out more and more to doctors. And as the months go by and cases of infection pile up, doctors have been working round the clock to ensure that patients get the best medical care. These doctors have been putting their own lives at risk and sacrificing family life to ensure the safety of all. So on National Doctor’s Day, which is marked on July 1 in India, we remember these heroes who work to save lives.
National Doctor’s Day was established in the year 1991 in India, and it was marked on July 1 as an honour to Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician, whose birth and death anniversary falls on that date. This year, due to the coronavirus, the usual celebration will not be held, but if it is, it would be on the work doctors have been doing from the start of the pandemic. When the pandemic started not many countries were ready to face it, and in India there was shortage of not only personal protection equipment but doctors as well. Doctors and nurses and other healthcare providers are at the frontline of this deadly pandemic, and if they do not have proper equipment they are putting their lives at risk.
There were reports that some doctors did not get their salaries and others faced salary cuts, which led to the medics threatening to resign. It is disheartening, to say the least, that on top of having to deal with a risky infection, they also have to worry about their livelihoods.
With the shortage in medical workers, most have had to do double and triple shifts and often for 24 hours or more, wearing their protective gear the whole time. They miss out on family life due to the time they have to spend in hospitals. And for some, going home means saying hello to their wife or children from the gate so as to prevent infection.
And while it is nice to bang pots and pans and clap for them from the confines of the home as a sign of appreciation, we also need to remember that they are human beings just like everyone else.
The unprecedented times due to Covid-19 pandemic demanded some extraordinary efforts from the healthcare professionals. Working in 48 hour shifts in high risk environments while sweltering in PPE kits, the medical practitioners have been doing it all, as the frontline warriors against coronavirus. But that’s not all for some doctors have been going beyond their call of duty to help others survive the difficulties.
The saviours are at the highest risk for depression, insomnia, anxiety, and increased alcohol consumption. The thought that you may cause the infection to your loved ones when you go back home every single day is crawling under their bellies.
There is always a constant fear that runs in their mind lest they should spread the deadly coronavirus to their loved ones. They diligently follow the hygiene guidelines as suggested by the health bodies. Besides battling with fear, Doctors also struggle with sparing quality time for the family.
“Since life has become different especially for a healthcare professional, I try to utilize the time with my family as I know I might have just a couple of hours to spend with them in our 24-hour job. It’s very hard to express those feelings as a father, who can’t hug their children and kiss them,” added a healthcare professional.
Who would have thought that the person who could provide aid against the disease would be in the clutches of the disease itself? Doctors who are in hotspots usually show a higher degree of a psychological burden compared to the ones away from them.
“A large proportion of healthcare professionals, especially doctors are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and psychological distress. They report severe symptoms, which should not come as a surprise, as they often must engage in a lot of emotional labour, like reassuring patients, while keeping their own emotions in check.
The old adage ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’ comes handy for the doctors when it comes to stopping the Covid-19 spread. The sole fear among doctors which increases anxiety level in them is of their family being affected due to them, along with long working hours with PPE kits.
Though it is a noble profession, for one to embrace it every single day and fight one’s fear and the patients’ fear and illness is not an easy task. Doctors should be discussing with their peers and watch their moods in terms of feeling sad, mood swings, increased irritability, increased anger, please speak to someone competent to handle mental health, A medical expert said.
Life has become an emergency drill for medics working 24X7 at a full-fledged Covid-19 hospital armed with PPE kit and determination to save lives. National Doctor’s Day, July 1, is a perfect day to thank all of them for their round the clock service
