NEET aspirants turn Covid warriors at state-run hospital

NEET aspirants turn Covid warriors at state-run hospital

Deepthi.Sanjiv@timesgroup.com

Mangaluru: 27.05.2021 

TOI: Bangalore Edition 

With the exam entrance postponed, a group of fresh MBBS graduates from Kundapur in Udpui district, who have been preparing for the PG-NEET for almost a year, have joined the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19 by opting to work at the government hospital in Kundapur.

This handful of doctors is now trying to strike the right balance between study and working in the Covid ward.

Among them is Dr Rachana Shetty, a NEET aspirant, who graduated from Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) Hospital, Navi Mumbai, but was forced to return to her hometown following the death of her father Suresh Shetty, a hotelier in February this year.

“My mother, Jyothi, was keen that I return to Kundapur,” Dr Rachana said. “Even though my family was going through emotional trauma, I decided to apply at the local hospital as soon as I learnt there was a vacancy. The Covid caseload was beginning to rise and I wanted to help. Not all NEET aspirants are willing to work at this point as they feel their preparations for the exam will take a back seat,” she said.

Dr Rajat Shetty and his elder brother Dr Ashit Shetty were also disappointed when NEET was postponed. Both had worked at the taluk hospital last year and decided to return to the hospital when the second wave of infections hit, and cases began to rise.

“There is no doubt that the second wave is more severe, but it has been a great learning experience,” Dr Rajat said. “Preparing for exams and practising at the same time can be very stressful. There is also a lot of uncertainty surrounding the exam. Since the pattern is expected to change next year, we were keen on taking it this year.”

Dr Namitha, another aspirant who is working in a hospital, said, “At the end of most days we are dog-tired, but we are happy that we are working for society during a crisis,” she said.

Dr Niveditha believed the decision to work has been a great learning experience. “The support staff, seniors and nurses work tirelessly round the clock. Dr Vijayashankar, anaesthetist, and Dr Nagesh, nodal officer, have been guiding us despite their heavy workload.”

Dr Nagesh said the taluk hospital had had nearly 700 admissions during the second wave and about 40 Covid-19 patients admitted to the maternity ward had delivered babies.