Healthcare workers during COVID-19 duty in Nagaland.
Families of healthcare workers recall COVID-19 journey on National Doctors’ Day
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | June 30
In 2012, Dzuva Domeh secured the top 5 rank in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Examination after beating all the odds of not having even a chair and a table for his studies. Born to farmer parents in Zhavame village, the third child among eight siblings earned his own school fees by doing construction work during holidays to relieve his parents from the burden.
Nine years on, he is a medical doctor rendering his service to humanity when the world needs it the most. He returned home last year immediately after earning his MBBS degree from Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Bihar and is currently attached at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).
“We are happy he is able to give his service to humanity during this most difficult time,” his elder brother, Virekhru Domeh tells The Morung Express on the eve of National Doctors’ Day which falls on July 1. India observes this day in honour of the legendary physician, educationist, philanthropist, freedom fighter and politician, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy.
Further paying tribute to doctors on the occasion, Virekhru Domeh says, “Doctors deserve our highest respect. They are the ones risking everything for our wellbeing.” Another thing that makes him happy, he says, is that their younger sister Lakourhü is also currently pursuing MBBS from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Jamshedpur.
“My constant advice to them is to always help the downtrodden, to sacrifice for their patients at any cost and to never prioritize making money, for it is God who put them into this profession to serve,” he shares.
Meanwhile for the family of Dr Rupert Peseyie, District Immunization Officer at CMO Kohima, these two years of COVID-19 have not been easy. He has been in the profession for the last 20 years, but the pandemic has clearly added to the already busy life of doctors in general.
“There are times I think they will not be able to go on, but God gives them extra strength which I believe is because everybody is praying for the frontline workers,” Angano Peseyie, wife of Dr Rupert Peseyie says.
Recalling the time returnees started coming back home in thousands last year, she shares that during that time her husband would barely get 2-3 hours of sleep. In between, there would be a little respite, but most days, they are working regardless of whether it is a Sunday or a weekday, she points out. “But they have a very good team starting with the CMO Kohima and I feel very happy to see them working together,” she adds.
She is grateful that despite being physically very exhausted over the past one year, her husband never fell ill. “People are praying for them all the time,” she reiterates. “We consider it early if he is able to return home by 6:00 pm—and these are days we can eat together. Sometimes, he would come back from work at around 9:30:10:00 pm or even return the next morning,” the mother of three says.
Angano Peseyie’s only regret during this time of the pandemic is that her husband is not being able to spend more quality time with the family. But despite the hard work and sacrifices he is making as a doctor, she emphasizes that “he has never failed as a father and husband.”
For Pastor Mosa Tsang, husband of Dr Zhuvithsü Tsang, who is serving as Medical Officer at Pherima, there are times it feels like his wife is giving more importance to patients but it also makes him realize that as a pastor, he also has to be there for people during difficult times.
“Sometimes we see her as a superwoman. She fulfils all her responsibilities professionally or as a wife and mother; it’s also not easy being a pastor’s wife. But she hardly says, ‘I am so tired’. She has that kind of amazing wonder!” the father of two goes on to say.
Dr Zhuvithsü Tsang has been in the profession since 2007. She was part of the Kohima COVID Task Force from January till May this year. “Especially when she was having COVID duty and would be away for weeks, she would always make it a point to call us,” he further relates.
Admitting that, “On a personal level, sometimes we think the work is too much,” he however points out that it is their calling. “I think the sacrifices she is making is out of love,” Mosa Tsang, Pastor of Pochury Baptist Church, Kohima conveys.
