Dr Diksha, 29

Junior resident at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot

FARIDKOT: After recovering from Covid-19 twice in the past two months, Dr Diksha, a junior resident, has returned to her duty at the isolation ward at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot. The third-year pulmonary medicine postgraduate student has been posted here since the initial days of the pandemic in April 2020. Besides monitoring the vitals of patients on ventilators, she also has another tough task to perform — inform the family members of Covid victims.

Days after getting the first dose of vaccine, Dr Diksha tested positive for the virus on March 24. “After recovering, I returned to duty in the second week of April. Unfortunately, I again tested positive in the first week of May, ahead of my second dose. After completing the quarantine period, I am back on duty with even more determination,” she says.

Amid a sudden rise in cases during the second wave, it’s becoming very stressful to tackle the situation, she says, adding that it is also a learning experience to work in extremely critical conditions. Dr Diksha has seen many patients succumb to the virus in the past one year, but it is the toughest for her to inform the parents of any young victim. “The only thing that keeps me going is the hope to save as many lives as I can. At times, even when we know a patient is not going to make it, we put our best efforts, as there is always a chance of miracle.”