05/04/2020
Our intern, Manasi Rege got featured in BBC Marathi. Have a look!
Corona virus- "I will go help the patients as soon as home quarantine is over"
On 5th March, an intern from Mumbai's GT hospital Dr. Manasi Rege, was working in the surgery ward as a part of her routine. While doing blood test on a patient, she got called urgently by the Superintendent of the hospital.
"Some interns need to be sent on the airport. All travellers from abroad need to be screened and accordingly some might have to be sent to hospital for Corona virus testing. You have to go to the airport", he told her.
After listening to this, the first thing that came to her mind was the news about all the havoc Corona virus has created around the world.
22 year old Dr. Manasi Rege has completed her MBBS from JJ Hospital and currently is an intern in GT hospital. She's a resident of a a suburb in Mumbai.
At the door of Corona virus...
Manasi received an assurance from the hospital that the safety of doctors would all be taken care of. But she was initially shaken by the idea of standing at the very door from which the breathtaking Corona virus disease can enter Mumbai and spread to the entire state!
While speaking to BBC Marathi she said, "At that moment I could visualise all the news about spread of Corona virus around the world. But after some time of thinking it through, I agreed to take the duty
I wasn't compelled to do this. But I thought that if I refuse, someone else would eventually have to deal with it. Then why not me? I questioned myself. So in the next 30-45 minutes, I left for the airport."
On reaching the airport, Manasi was taken to Airport Health Organisation (APHO)'s office, where she was accompanied by four other interns from various government hospitals across Mumbai. From the very next day Dr. Manasi started her service at the airport.
Ready for Healthcare...
Putting on her apron, gloves and N-95 mask, Manasi was now ready to screen the travellers in her way.
"When the flight landed, we came in contact with a group of 300-400 passengers at a stretch, anyone of which could be positive for corona. So the first day was a little gruesome. But gradually the fear started waning.
Initially thermal screening was done only for the passengers who arrived from China. The one's whose temperature was above 100° F were to be informed to the surveillance department. Also those of them facing any kind of problems, were made to fill the declaration form", said Manasi.
When Corona spread around the world...
Soon after China, thorough screening also started for passengers coming from places like Italy, USA, Spain, UK, France, Dubai.
For preventive purposes, Manasi was given a Hazmat suit.
Screening was done into three categories:
Group A- The passengers that showed symptoms of the disease would come under this category. Any of them who had fever, cold, cough, sore throat were sent to Kasturba hospital for the Corona testing.
Group B- Under this category were those, who didn't have symptoms but had a good probability of getting infected by corona virus which includes senior citizens, diabetics, hypertensives, asthmatics, cancer patients etc. These were sent to Seven Hills Hospital for Quarantine.
Group C- All the passengers who have returned from abroad but show no symptoms of the disease or risk factors were under this category. These ones were given a 'Home Quarantine' stamp on their hand along with instructions for the same.
Family's Support...
Manasi was doing this duty everyday. Six hours for the first two days and 12 hours on the third day- was the structure of her duty. About 1500-2000 passengers landed on the airport each day, and about 15000 by the night, all of which had to be screened.
A young girl from the house was going for duty at the most vulnerable place while a lot of chaos regarding Corona was rumbling around the world.
"I obtained a good support from my family as both my parents are doctors themselves. Friends and colleagues expressed worries. On the other hand, I was showered with praise for being in the last phase of MBBS, not yet having a degree in hand and still working this way", she added.
The contentment of returning to your country...
"I used to come across thousands of people each day. Everyone coming from abroad had a worry on their face. But when the world is in turmoil due to corona virus, having returned to motherland had a feeling of contentment on their faces.
We used to worry when we looked at children, pregnant women, and seniors citizens. There was also a disarray while sending them to the hospital. So at times we had to counsel many of them"
Home quarantine...
Manasi worked on the airport from 6 March to 22 March. She returned home once the air transportation had ceased. And now she has been home quarantined.
"As of now I do not have any symptoms. I'm living in an isolated room in my own house. I can't even eat along with anyone else. Currently I'm studying, also keeping up with the updates."
I would like to serve Corona patients...
Manasi's home quarantine period ends on April 6. And she doesn't plan on sitting at home when the country's population is in danger.
"I'm aware that there might be a lot of anarchy in the hospital right now. My colleagues would also be working very hard. So I feel that I too should get a call from the ward. But I would join only after my quarantine period is over.
Even if my next job deals with corona, I'd do it happily. I would love to serve Corona patients", Manasi expressed.