Standing the test of time and discharging duty with resolve
LUCKNOW: At a time when Covid-19 is spreading its tentacles, those engaged in testing of samples of suspected patients at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) lab have forgotten everything except their duty in these critical times. And what is praiseworthy is the fact that they are proud of being associated with such a noble cause. Their resolve and dedication is worth emulation.
Shantanu Prakash, a scientist with virology section of microbiology department, says his work is priority for him right now and his sister’s marriage scheduled in his native place Patna early in May is of secondary importance given the situation the state and the country is faced with.
“Priority right now is the samples that are increasing every day and I consider myself fortunate enough to be able to serve humanity at a time when coronavirus is spreading fast,” he adds.
Shantanu hasn’t gone back home since samples started coming here early February. Like him, there are many others who haven’t gone back home for long. They include a dozen scientists and research scholars in the lab in 25-35 age group.
“Being a future scientist, I am proud that I am associated with such a noble cause,” says Hricha Mishra, a PhD scholar.
“My parents are worried but they support me. I believe working right now will pave way for me to work on Covid-19 vaccine too later,” she adds.
For Brij Nath Tiwari, a scientist in virology department, working in the lab is like fighting a war and saving countrymen. In the past one month, he has visited his family only twice to meet his wife and two daughters.
“One is four and the other seven-years-old. But they understand my work and that I need to be away from home for a few days,” says Tiwari, a native of Gonda. Tiwari, who has worked in labs for over 10 years in India and also in the US, is using all his experience to ensure accuracy of tests.
However, these scientists and research scholars have been provided accommodation, food and other facilities on the campus as they need to work in shifts and also because they have to avoid travelling too.
Apart from them, the story of Ramakrishna, a research scholar from Telengana in microbiology department, is also one of dedication. A native of Telangana, Ramkrishna left his village just on a phone call. He travelled 1,500 km from Hyderabad to Lucknow to help out in sample testing and reached KGMU just a day before the 21-day lockdown was effected.
Later, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote a letter to him appreciating his work and dedication.
For about a month, the KGMU lab was the lone one to test samples from across the state until the state government got 9 more started gradually one after the other by the last week of March. Not just Uttar Pradesh but samples came from Uttarakhand too. Keeping the machines running 24X7 was a herculean task for the army of researchers and scientists at KGMU. “They did it in just right manner,” said head of the department Prof Amita Jain. She also praised research scholar Ramakrishna.
“It was only his decision to come back as he had returned to write the research paper and had all permission. I wasn’t expecting him. In fact I made the call just casually but his response has made me proud,” said Prof Jain.
HOW DO THEY TAKE REST
Rest is secondary but has to be taken to keep our body and mind working. You won’t believe that Prof Amita Jain whenever on round in the lab observes us closely and if anyone of us looks tired she advises a break. She not only keeps monitoring sampling and processing but also our fitness. Whenever possible, we take a break but no routine for now,” said a scientist in the lab, who did not want to be named. So after a tiring work of 14 or even 17 hours, a break for two hours comes often. If the work is complete, break can be longer.
HOW THEY DIVIDE WORK
The day time has maximum load hence more of them, including the women scientists/research scholars, remain on duty during that period. The rest discharge duty during night hours. Samples do come in the night also hence collection of sample, recording details and processing goes on round the clock.
TEAM’S HARD WORK REFLECTS IN NUMBERS OF TESTS
The lab that started with around 75 samples a day has touched 390 mark now. In all, over 4,000 samples have been tested here since the second week of February when the tests started. This is about 50% of the total 9,332 samples tested in the state so far. If there is a need, the capacity will be expanded further, Prof Jain said.