Doctor worries for family, misses seeing grandfather

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30

Often, while traversing through the corridors of the Covid-19 ICU area at the GMCH, Sector 32, 27-year-old junior resident Dr Harsheel Gupta ponders over the proximity he and his family share with the invisible enemy – coronavirus – responsible for the pandemic.

His fear has grown manifold ever since three doctors from the hospital tested positive for Covid-19. However, this has only strengthened his resolve to stay on top of his game and survive the catastrophe.

His driving force: “I just keep looking forward to going home,” he says. From the General Medicine Department to emergency care, Dr Harsheel Gupta is at the helm of managing the Covid-19 crisis in the city. For starters, the aerosol generation procedure poses great risk, he says. “The procedure involves intubation, suctioning, clearing airway passages and nebulisation. This is a standard treatment for all patients infected with Covid-19,” he begins. “We stay at a two-metre distance from the patients when the procedure is underway. Of course, PPE kits or hazmat suits shield us,” he adds. The inconvenience of the hazmat suit and Level-C PPE kit is a necessary evil that he braves.

“So, aerosol generation procedure cannot be done in AC rooms and OTs don’t have fans. It gets sweaty. The suit has a shelf life of six to eight hours,” he says.

At home, Dr Harsheel’s parents, a younger brother and 85-year-old grandfather anxiously await his return. It won’t be long before he vacates ‘Area 72’ of the hospital — his humble abode for now.

“I am among 15-18 ‘on-risk’ residents staying on the hospital premises,” he shares.

The young doctor’s passion to serve humanity doesn’t lose steam throughout the banter, but a creased forehead meets the mention of his family. “That’s the only thing I am worried about — my family’s safety,” he says. Since March 18, Dr Harsheel has been self-quarantined. “No family activities for me. On arriving home, I remove my clothes and shoes at the entrance where my father brings a bucket of soap water in which I wash my feet. Someone keeps food outside my room and I bring it inside and only step out for duty,” he shares.

On a parting note, he speaks of his attachment with his grandfather. “I haven’t stepped into his room since March 18. Of all things normal, I miss being with him the most,” he signs off.