हिंदी
RAMBAN, JUNE 03, 2021: Protected by both doses of Covishield vaccine and having staunch faith in God and blessings of patients, Pardeep Kumar, 42, an Ophthalmic Assistant, feels no fear or risk working in the testing centre of District Hospital Ramban.
“Having once survived Corona Pneumonia in December 2020, I dreaded doing Covid duty again this year when I was asked to do it in March 2021, but after taking Covid vaccination I no longer hesitate, “said Pardeep Kumar.
According to him, his inclusion in the roster of Covid duty in March this year not only sent a shiver down his spine but also invited the reluctance of his parents, who asked him to get his duty cancelled by hook or by crook.
“With my just 2 month old daughter and impending difficulty in helping my wife in upbringing her and doing other chores with none of my parents or other family members around to help me, it was not only very tough to perform the Covid duty in the beginning but also a great risk for my child,” he said.
“For many months I couldn’t go near her and cuddle her for fear of passing on Covid infection to her,” he added.
In December last year, he could not attend the cremation of his paternal uncle in Kishtwar as his leave was not sanctioned because of being on active Covid duty since March 2020.
Eldest of four siblings, 2 brother and 2 sisters his parents reside in Kishtwar, while he lives in a rented accommodation in Ramban town with his wife.
Since September last year he has not gone to Kishtwar to meet the parents and other siblings due to Covid duty, which he attends even on Sundays and gazetted holidays. He had visited his native place only twice since joining his duty in Ramban in September 2019.
His duty starts at 9 in the morning and after listing and ID marking, he starts the sampling for Covid tests from 10 AM which lasts upto 4 or 5 PM. After that he has to arrange the samples, preserve them after coding, tagging and packing them before leaving for home at 6 or 7 in the evening.
“Amid the prevailing lockdown restrictions I shop for vegetables, milk and all necessary provisions early in the morning and leave nothing for the evening as sometimes I reach home too late,” he said.
“My wife is a big support for me. But for her cooperation I would have not been able to concentrate on my duty,” he added.
He owes lot to his senior colleagues and officers for inspiration and cooperation which makes their work otherwise dull and challenging look interesting and easy besides protecting them fully by providing necessary PPE kits, masks, goggles, gloves, sanitizers etc.
“He is a very dedicated, dependable and dutiful worker- works day and night without creating any problem for anybody. Though, we do have substitutes for such work but he being more trained and experienced it is hard to replace him. It is only because of the team of such persons and the facilities now available in District Hospital we have been able to treat as many as 88 Covid patients with moderate symptoms unlike last year when we had to refer them to GMC, Jammu,” said Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Ramban.
