DOCTOR DADS ON DUTY

FATHER’S DAY

DOCTOR DADS ON DUTY

With the number of corona cases rising, doctors have been on the frontline helping patients. This has meant several of them have to stay away from their families, reports Uttara Varma

21.06.2020

Dr Sukumar, resident paediatric surgeon, Niloufer hospital

I have not seen my children since the lockdown began,” says Dr Sukumar. The 36-year-old’s family lives in Kadapa, AP. Before the corona virus outbreak, either he or his wife would travel so that the family could spend time together, but now that is out of the question. “I decided to be cautious and not see my kids till this pandemic is over. While I miss them, I have to think of their health and safety first,” said the 36-year-old. His daughter Lisa is six years old and son Samuel is four. He says his son asks for him every day.

Dr Ajay Chanakya Vallabhaneni, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, KIMS hospitals

Eleven-month-old Ameya grabs on to her dad as soon as he gets home and howls when he does not pick her up. Since the pandemic began, Dr Ajay Chanakya is being extra cautious. “As soon as I reach home, I take a shower, and only then pick up my daughter,” he says. The oncologist sees at least 20 patients a day, but that does not cover those he is often exposed to in the hospital, especially the ICU. Juggling work and spending time with his children – he also has a six-year-old son Agastya -- has been a challenge in these times. Owing to the pandemic, his wife, also a doctor extended her stay at home after having their daughter.

Dr Shravan Kumar, MD General medicine, NIMS

Anticipating an increase in work, Dr Shravan Kumar sent his four-yearold daughter Ananya and wife back to their native place in Karimnagar before the lockdown began. “Thankfully, her school closed in time,” says the 32-year-old. “I am missing her so much. I used to play with her every day. But now I don’t see her even on video call for days,” said Dr Kumar. He says his 12-hour work shifts mean that she is sleeping when he calls or unavailable. The doctor says he has never been without her for this long since she was born. While he does not know when he can see her, he says the separation is for the best given the pandemic.