Healthcare professionals working during a global pandemic

Healthcare professionals always put their lives on the line for others. This week we speak with doctors, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare professionals serving in these testing times. We reached professionals of note to understand the challenges currently confronting them during the pandemic.

Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur

Consultant Aesthetic and Dermatologist

We are all facing challenges in this pandemic but the nature of challenge maybe different for everyone. As doctors we are trying to fight this battle for all our patients but with their corporation. We are following strict SOP’s and soon we are also introducing vitamin C infusions to boost the immunity at our clinic. I would advise people to be aware of how rapidly this disease is spreading and they must continue to maintain physical distance. Also ensure you shower when you come home from anywhere.

Dr Rizwan Rehman

Dental Surgeon - Dr Rizwan & Associates

Covid-19 virus mostly spreads through micro-droplets and for this reason dentists have been forced to shut down since the start of the pandemic. The challenge for every dentist will be to follow a new set of SOP’s that can overcome this problem because majority of the procedures performed by dentists generate micro-droplets. The challenge of providing a safe environment can be overcome by adhering to the obvious: Spacing appointments, using protective gear, maximising disposables, sterilisation and disinfection of the clinic after each patient, the staff members and patients themselves need to be disinfected as well. To overcome the micro-droplet problem dentists need to introduce three changes; a safe disinfectant added to the water supply, a high volume suction machine that sucks up micro-droplets at the source and a very sophisticated filteration system that completely purifies the air within seconds. Dentists will have no choice but to evolve for their own safety and for the safety of their patients and at Dr Rizwan & Associates we have implemented all these changes.

Dr Kamran Qureshi

Aesthetic Physician

The chief challenge confronting me is a reduction in the number of patients frequenting my clinic. Patients affected by Covid-19 and not disclosing this information present another challenge. This also imperils others patients and clients at the clinic. My advice to everyone is to keep yourself protected and if you need to come for procedures there is very less chance you will get a virus as we are taking all measures to ensure our clients safety.

Dr Zoona Saeed

Gynacologist and Obstetrician OBGNY

It’s a very challenging time for all of us especially health professionals.Being a gynaecologist and obstetrician one cannot stop dealing with emergencies but due to the pandemic it’s very risky for the doctors as we are providing cover 24/7. Therefore, I would strongly advise that patients should be honest about their symptoms and should readily get themselves tested and take all the necessary precautions to avoid Covid -19 for their safety and the doctor’s safety.

Dr Natasha Khalid

Practicing resident physician, internal medicine department at Indus Hospital

The one moving force for our daily troubles is having each other as a support and a shoulder to lean on. While we are in the trenches, our communities need to stay home to prevent the spread. Even if you amplify the number of beds and ventilators, who will run the show if we get sick? However, all we request of you is to look out for each other, do not raise prices of SOS drugs, stay homes, wear a mask and if you know a family who has a member suffering from Covid-19, then support them as much as you can.

Dr Faizia Hasnain Ali

Cosmetologist and laser specialist

Since the advent of Covid-19, human life has changed immensely. This is an era where we have to confront a lot of challenges. Doctors being the frontline soldiers are not only endangering their lives but of their families also by providing medical facilities to their fellow men. The need of the hour is to equip yourself with the proper knowledge of the disease and its pathology. One should take all the precautionary measures including the use of masks, soap and sanitisers. Minimise the exposure to the outside world. Build your immune system and be ready to fight the disease with full vigour. And above all, be kind and selfless towards humanity.