LOCKDOWN 2.0
A Blog by Dr. Manisha Shembekar
We have entered the second phase of lockdown, which wasn’t unexpected, to say
the least. But as the number of cases rises so also the casualties and the sense of
unease sets in. We, working in the maternal health sector, an essential service in
every eventuality, don’t know how to deal with daily activities at the hospital. Do
we allow this patient clinic who is complaining of an allergic cough which
she often has or send her for the swab test? Earlier whenever a patient was
asked about any complaint, cough used to be quite common on the list along with
some low-grade fever, aches and pains or nausea, or loss of appetite. Strangely
people have stopped having these complaints altogether and I have observed
that a leading question of respiratory ailment is met with a vehement negative
response. Such is the scare of the virus and the isolation that would ensue. The
dilemma of what should be the appropriate gear in operation rooms is being
discussed on all the platforms but what about the outpatients? How do we deal
with them? No one knows for sure. Then again procuring the PPEs is easier said
than done. The uncertainty about what to expect when the curbs are relaxed
looms large. Our disinfection of the rooms has achieved a level of OCD (obsessive-compulsive
disorder), the door handles, the railings, and the lifts are being sanitized
now and then. There is no room for complacency here. But fighting with an
invisible enemy is proving to be extremely demanding on time, energy, and
emotions.
On the other hand, the patients who are would-be mothers (can’t call them
patients in the real sense of the term), are anxious a lot. After all, they had not
expected to have such a situation when their bundle of joy sets foot in this world.
True, the air is cleaner, fewer pollutants in the environment in the form of
cacophony and carbon emanating from the endless vehicular traffic, but this
prolonged silence has an eerie feel. Agreed that all of us enjoyed the slowing
down of the pace of life for a few days initially but not anymore. We crave to get
back to the original hectic schedule, which was so much part of our life. These
young moms are to be long to get their baby showers, wishes granted as soon as they
uttered them, and the anticipatory shopping spree that they usually indulge in.
However, times changed suddenly, and even online shopping is not an option in
today’s scenario. None of us has ever experienced this unprecedented situation
ever before. The net is flooded with advice about how to deal with stress
and maintain your mental balance in these uncertain times. We are witnessing a
range of issues being faced by people, e.g. the husband is somewhere abroad and
can’t come for her D-day, or the parents have to travel several miles by road to be
with their daughter when she delivers their baby, the anxiety is writ large on their
faces hidden behind the masks. Our assurance that we are there to take care of
all your needs, emotionally included, is met with welcome smiles or rather spark
in their eyes. So friends let’s deal with this unparalleled challenge with grit and
provide tender loving care to all those who need it.
Dr. Manisha Shembekar
MD, DA
Joint Managing Director
Omega Hospital, Nagpur