THE BEACONS OF HOPE

IF THERE EVER WAS A TIME THAT WE NEEDED TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK AS ONE, IT IS *NOW*. IN THIS ISSUE OF COSMO INDIA, WE CELEBRATE THE BRAVEHEARTS WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY POURED THEIR TIME AND RESOURCES INTO HELPING OTHERS TIDE OVER THESE CHALLENGING AND DISTRESSING TIMES. WE HOPE THIS SPECIAL SERIES SERVES AS INSPIRATION AND, EQUALLY IMPORTANT, DRAWS ATTENTION TO WHAT EACH ONE OF US CAN DO TO BE BETTER CITIZENS...AND BETTER PEOPLE.

- Humra Afroz Khan

To India’s Healthcare Workers... We Salute You

WHEN THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC FIRST ERUPTED IN 2020, IT WAS THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY THAT SWUNG INTO ACTION INSTANTLY. A YEAR LATER, AS THE DREADED VIRUS RAGES ON, THE FRATERNITY—DOCTORS, NURSES, WARD BOYS, AND MORE—CONTINUES TO INDEFATIGABLY SOLDIER THE FRONT LINES, RISKING THEIR OWN LIVES FOR THE REST OF US, EVERY DAY. COSMO SPEAKS TO DR HAZELL ALMEIDA, SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER AT WOCKHARDT HOSPITALS, MUMBAI, ON ALL THAT THESE BRAVEHEARTS HAVE HAD TO ENDURE IN THE PROCESS...

Interview By: Humra Afroz Khan

This has been an excruciating phase for everyone. Most of us have been working for long hours, without a break, while also attending numerous seminars and trainings, to stay updated and well-informed on how to improve our patient-care.

In the first wave of COVID-19, India witnessed the elderly being affected the most—the virus was fatal, especially for those with comorbidities. In the second wave, we can see it impacting the youth. So many have succumbed to this deadly virus, despite being in the prime of their lives. Also, this time around, more and more patients have been requiring ICU beds and ventilator support, as the severity of cases has also intensified.

Consequently, the healthcare systems, across the country, have been left overstretched and unable to operate effectively, which has, directly, impacted the healthcare workers, too. We already had a poor doctor-to-patient and nurse-to-patient ratio in India. It has only worsened during the pandemic, causing many cases of healthcare staff’s burning out.