On the frontlines, medical officials battling the odds

SANKHA GHOSH, SNS, SILIGURI, 20 APRIL 2020: Despite the fact that the novel coronavirus is giving sleepless nights to a team of doctors, medical staff, paramedical staff and other healthcare providers at North Bengal's first Covid- 19 hospital in Siliguri, they are confidently treating Covid-19 patients with all possible care and dedications.

As Covid cases grew in number, the state government took over Dr Chang's 100- bed Hospital at Matigara to treat such cases.

Staying away from their families, the frontline health workers have helped cure 11 patients of Coved, including two children, so far. Four positive patients, including two nurses from the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH), and the family members of one of them, are presently undergoing treatment in the hospital.

"The state government has ensured the best possible arrangements for the treatment here, like on a public-private mode," said the Darjeeling district chief medical officer of health, Dr Pralay Acharya.

District medical officer of Ayush (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha and homoeopathy) Dr Bimal Krishna Barman and assistant superintendent of the Siiguri District Hospital (SDH) Sobhananda Singha have been appointed as the superintendent and assistant superintendent of the hospital, respectively.

"After the takeover, the infrastructure has been developed here, while our aim remains to develop the patient immunity while treating them," said Dr Barman, who is leading the 90-member team, which includes chest, medicine and ENT specialists.

The team members hail from places in Kurseong, Kalimpong and other areas on the outskirts of Siliguri.

After providing treatment for seven days, the frontline team members are quarantined for two weeks. Hospital sources said atleast four government nurses, 12 nursing staff from Chang's Hospital and four community health officers are included in the team alternately, while doctors from the NBMCH examine the patients.

"I am associated with Covid 19 treatment from 5 April. We are all part of the battle against the disease, but due to our profession, we are on the forefront. We need to fight till the end. My family members were worried as soon as they came to know about my duty and asked me to leave the job because of the risks involved. But I made them understand that the battle has already begun and being a fighter I cannot leave it midway," said an ENT doctor of the Siliguri District Hospital, Dr Richard Narjinary. Dr Narjinary is presently undergoing quarantine.

Another ENT specialist associated with the Kurseong Sub Divisional Hospital, Dr Himadri Sekhar Majumder, said it was all about team work. "I am here for the past 13 days. Yes, I am away from home, away from parents, wife and child, but I feel happy and seeing the patients recover gives me great satisfaction." he said.

According to sources at the hospital, apart from the treatment, psychological counselling has also been arranged for to encourage patients.

Other members of the team include laboratory, X-ray and MRI technicians and housekeeping staff.

Source said the hopital has a five-bed high dependency unit and a 13-bed ICU will be readied soon. It has eight ventilators and four more will be brought soon.

Nursing Superintendent Srijana Rai and government nursing staff Malti Sharma, who have been working tirelessly, said this lifetime experience of treating Coved- 19 patients would "generate a positive vibe and confidence."

"It gives us immense pleasure as patients are being cured with some great team effort. We have gradually learnt the treatment process, treatment protocol, and ways to wear PPE5 (personal protection equipment) following training imparted by the health department," they said.

Meanwhile, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (ETA) has arranged for accommodation of doctors and medical staff at the Pahariya Bhawan that it runs.