Guardian angels

Despite the fact that they work in a high risk zone themselves looking after swine flu patients,the staff at Naidu hospital has been unflinching in their duty

They knew situation will worsen after Reeda Shaikh’s death and it did get worse. And when the turnout for diagnosis for H1N1 at Quarantine ward of Naidu Hospital touched the alarming mark of around thousand every day,the staff pulled over two masks —one to ward off the H1N1 the other to ward of their own concerns to get infected. With the distinct red mark lining their nose and elastic clinging to their ear bones they stand at the registration counter from seven in the morning scanning the ever-increasing row of tentative patients of swine flu from the city. Rajesh Nalwade and Sumit Gadekar (names changed) have been registering patients for diagnosis since June 13 when the first case of swine flu was detected in the city. “After the death the number immediately increased and when on August 6,thirtey nine cases were diagnosed,it reached a thousand. “People pour in from all parts of the city. Most of them are relatives and friends of the victims and some are those who have common cold and cough but are wise enough come in for a dignosis,” says Gadekar Nalwade (name changed ) who was roped in from another hospital and was assigned duty in the Quarantine ward thought about his 10-year-old son. “When I am at home the thought haunts me that I might be infected and I will contaminate one of my loved ones. But as soon as I am at work I see all those worried faces. I think they need me more,” says Nalwade.

When the news broke,the staff knew what kind of threat they will be subjected to in the days to come. Sushila Upashi ( name changed) folded her hands and muttered her prayer. “There was a slight hesitation not for myself but for my family members I knew I might contaminate them. For a moment I was weak but immediately I reminded myself that I am a nurse and I can fight the disease. I know how to prevent it,” she says.

However the staff knows the flu is curable and as long as they are alert and aware about its symptoms none of them is going to be badly affected by it. Besides the staff also takes Tami flu tablets just to be sure of warding off the disease. “ We take all necessary precautions and that is what others should do as well. Panicking will not help. It is not a big disease you just have to get it diagnosed and start with the medication as early as possible,” she says.