Dr Manavjot Kaur Brar, 27

Junior resident at Government Medical College, Patiala

PATIALA: Dr Manavjot Kaur Brar, 27, a junior resident, has not visited her parents for the past six months, busy putting up a strong fight against the pandemic at the Covid care unit of Rajindra Hospital. Working under an extremely stressful environment, video calls with her parents — whenever she can get the time from the busy schedule — are the only solace for this second-year MD student who hails from Nathuwala in Moga district.

“I have very minimal contact with my parents. I have not visited them for the past six months and have not allowed them to visit me as well in order to avoid any exposure,” she says.

The second wave of the pandemic has been exceptionally stressful, says the young doctor, having seen people struggling to breathe even after being provided oxygen supply.

“Though we are trained and prepared to handle such situations, but it has started affecting us psychologically. I always try to stay positive in order to boost the morale of patients, so that even they can fight this battle against the virus with a positive energy,” she says.

However, it is not easy to remain positive on seeing young people collapsing within seconds, she says. However, every job has its satisfying moments too. Meeting recovered patients in general isolation wards is one such experience. “It gives me a great sense of satisfaction when they applaud my work,” says Dr Manavjot.