Living to help people in distress

Her lean stature and youthful smile belie the determination and the courage she has. Besides,the oath she has taken as a nurse to serve the humanity has helped her in overcoming obstacles and become a torchbearer of womanhood.

Her lean stature and youthful smile belie the determination and the courage she has. Besides,the oath she has taken as a nurse to serve the humanity has helped her in overcoming obstacles and become a torchbearer of womanhood.

The challenge came to Priyanka Mandal,a nursing attendant at Mission Hospital,as a surprise on January 28. She was on her way to work late in the evening when the bus she was travelling in broke down near the Chingrihata bus stop. There she saw a woman having labour pain. The woman was with her husband and mother-in-law. They were helpless as it was around 7.30 pm and could not find any vehicle to take them to any hospital. Besides,there was no time also to shift them to hospital.

There were two lives in front of me needing help, said Priyanka recalling the incident. In her three years of training as a nurse and just one year of service,Priyanka had never helped a woman deliver a baby in such circumstances.

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Although she came forward to help the woman,she did not know how she will be able to help her out. There was total darkness around but she used the torch of her mobile phone to help her. There were no shops in the area so all she could manage to get as surgical instruments for the child delivery were a blade and a rubber band.

Showing great courage,Priyanka helped the woman deliver the baby safely. She also ensured complete safety of the mother. The parents said they will give her name to the baby.

The incident has made the 23-year-old Priyanka a more confident professional. Priyanka says the knowledge and expertise that she has acquired are not only for those who come to the hospital but for all who are in distress.

Recognising her courage and sense of duty,the hospitals across the state have felicitated Priyanka. On the occasion of International Womens Day last month,Bhagirathi Neotia Woman and Child Care Centre gave her the Woman Achiever award.

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