On mission to collect samples, he hopes to see family after 21 days
LUCKNOW : Senior technician OP Verma is on a 21-day Covid-19 duty since June 27 and has done sampling of over 300 patients admitted at the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) till now.
“I have told my family that I will be home only after 21 days. And if hospital requires more from me I shall take more time to see them. My wife Susheela Devi and three sons Aman, Vishal and Ayush have fully supported me,” said Verma, who joined the paediatric department of the KGMU in 2004.
His day begins with donning PPE kit early in the morning and collection of samples. His patients include suspected cases, repeat sampling of admitted patients and those awaiting a sample report before they can be operated for various health problems, including road accidents.
“I know the sooner I will take sample the better it is for them,” he said.
Verma has done higher number of sampling than the previous technicians because the number of patients has gone up after lockdown.
The average 75 samples a day shall cross 100 in the coming days, he said.
Technicians are engaged on a 14-day duty and have to spend another seven days in quarantine before they go back home.
“The risk of COVID-19 too remains at the back of their mind but the focus is on patients,” said Pradip Gangwar, president, KGMU Employees Association.
“The way sampling is going up every day, I think in the next 10 days I will cross 1000-sample mark. In fact the more I work for patients the job satisfaction goes up,” said Verma, who does video chat with family whenever he finds time.
“My duty hours are not fixed. As and when required I have to stay in ward and collect samples. But I understand the importance of this work,” said Verma.