International Women’s Day: Lady doctors as front liners and challenges they faced during pandemic

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 annually. This movement was primely made to enhance women’s rights. This day is to celebrate womanhood and honour each and every woman who is constantly contributing to make others' lives better.

The world is constantly fighting with the global pandemic and doctors are the ones who are burning the midnight oil to give treatment to the affected people. So, this Women’s Day, let’s know about 4 female doctors and their life during the pandemic.

Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals

“The pandemic was a big challenge for all of us. There was a lot of apprehension and pressure to work in the difficult environment with very limited resources. There was always a great deal of anxiety about family and pressure to treat the patients and calm relatives during the pandemic.”

Dr Rajeshwari Pawar, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi

“To give a brief introduction about myself, I work as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi. When lockdown was announced in the month of March 2020, our hospital authorities got into action and we started Online Video consultations for our pregnant mothers. However, women with advanced pregnancies had to be examined in person and therefore we continued our OPDs too.

The first thought that arises is "What if I become responsible for my near and dear one's health by giving them a deadly infection? Am I playing with their life?”

However, I kept aside these thoughts and went ahead examining and /or delivering mothers or doing emergency surgeries in the hospital.

As days and weeks passed by, and we found that we tested negative despite being exposed to a couple of COVID positive pregnant moms, our confidence levels increased. We have now reached a stage where there is no fear, in general, doing well even if we are exposed to the infection.

We also had the responsibility of reassuring our patients, supporting staff who intermittently would get panic regarding infecting their little ones. I also went through fears of what would happen to my spouse, who was working as a COVID warrior but in another place. What if anything happens? I will not even be able to visit him.

Nature plays out beautifully and, in my case, it has been kind towards me.

Let us all work towards encouraging each one to get vaccinated and improve on building one's own immunity to fight this deadly disease that has affected mankind.”

Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Internal Medicine Expert Global Hospital, Mumbai

“COVID-19 has truly been a gamechanger for the health care industry around the world. Not only were we faced with a completely new infectious disease, but it was one that spread like wildfire. The sheer number of people infected by the virus was a challenge for health care workers. We were faced with unknown obstacles on a massive scale. We had to put in hectic hours wearing PPE kits while facing initial stigma regarding the disease. While we continued to focus on the patients, we also had to ensure that we were keeping ourselves healthy. At the back of our minds, we knew that if we fell ill, there would be one less COVID warrior battling on.

To cope with the pandemic, we had to try and keep a positive outlook. As we all hoped for an effective vaccine to arrive, we continued to follow safety protocols.”

Dr Glossy Sabharwal, Radio-diagnosis Chief consultant, Apollo Spectra Hospital Delhi

“The biggest challenge for me was not to motivate me but to constantly inspire my healthcare workers to come to work each day when the entire country was in lockdown.

And then came the first positive Covid case in the hospital. No one was ready for that. Everything was at a standstill. The staff and nurses became very demotivated. But we did not give up. We continued to do our work taking complete safety precautions, following WHO protocols and giving full financial and emotional support to our staff.”

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