NIZWA: “Seeing patients struggle to breathe, isolated from their loved ones, and seeing the fear of the unknown in their eyes, is so debilitating,” said Dr Amin Paracha, an ER Physician at KIMS Hospital in Muscat. Prominent in developing community awareness of Covid-19, Dr Paracha offers keen insight to the pandemic from the health sector perspective.
Initially working in NMC Specialty Hospital in Ruwi when the pandemic emerged, Dr Paracha was tasked with leading staff training initiatives on hygiene and protection protocols. “It was such an upheaval within our entire sector,” he said, “and I took a proactive approach developing measures to safeguard the influx of new admissions, made structural and operational changes required to evaluate, test and treat of Covid-19 positive cases.” His liaison with local MoH officials saw him strategize workplace pandemic preventative compliance measures, visit schools and industrial sites, and commit intensively to Covid-19, pandemic related duties.
“By the time I joined KIMS Hospital, the pandemic had developed significantly and entered a different phase completely, and as everyone is aware, it has now reached immeasurable proportions. Currently, those of us involved in Covid treatment work eight to twelve hour days, in PPE which is three layers of fabric, two masks, a face shield, gloves, and protective covering over our socks and shoes in this blistering seasonal heat and humidity.” He wryly observed that even the most basic needs like meals, drinks , and the washroom are pretty much relegated to irrelevance. “We are only human, we have these needs, just as you do... we just ignore them to help our patients. All of us, all the healthcare sector, particularly in the frontline, are doing what we must... there is nobody else!”
“Emotionally it is exceedingly difficult. Patients must be kept isolated from their families and loved ones, for whom we are the only connection, providing updates, even passing messages, and we carry the emotional ‘baggage’ if you like, from both sides.” He paused as he reflected on the herculean task of “maintaining our sanity,” under such difficult conditions, the physical and psychological toll the pandemic is taking. “I feel I have aged so much in this last year, as the world has changed so much, and the medical landscape much more so as we have had to learn, re-learn and stay current with the ever changing pandemic environment... and like all my colleagues, I am exhausted! Still making good decisions,” he smiled, “but exhausted.”
It is human nature to make individual decisions, and misinformation and misconceptions are a huge factor in any social upheaval. “We are a curious race. We are individuals who tend towards individual choices, maybe each of us is differently influenced by our cultures and traditions, our education, and our lifestyles. The anti-vaxers, flat earthers, and the conspiracy theorists who stick out like a thorn in the frantic search for the ‘right’ information, and it is all out there in the media. It’s just a matter of which information you find, as to which view you take.”
Surprisingly perhaps, a tolerant Dr Paracha has some understanding of those who are not compliant with pandemic procedures and regulations. “People are in an emotional ‘perfect storm,” he said, “and they have so much conflicting information to process. They are scared, anxious, and they see that despite the government measures, numbers continue to rise, so they look for guidance... and the ‘WhatsApp University of Medical Sciences’ is more than happy to help. They end up getting even more confused, and probably do nothing, and that certainly doesn’t help the situation! We, in medicine are just so grateful to the ones who are taking precautions and following rules. To the ones that are not: it’s not too late, and maybe a stint volunteering in a covid ward may change your mind?”
Saudi Arabian born and educated there, and in Pakistan, Paracha is a graduate of the Baqai University in Karachi and arrived in Oman in 2012 for a short stint. The hand of fate reached out however, and charmed by the Sultanate, he also found himself undeniably attracted to Alifa, his wife, and happily, stayed. He has little time for his interests among which snorkeling, off-roading, PlayStation, the guitar, poetry and reading. “Quiet time with Alifa is much treasured however, and the energy for all I do is derived from our relationship. Having said that,” he said more seriously, “the life of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), is the root of all my inspiration.”
So, inspired by his faith, and his family, Dr Amin Paracha will again tomorrow be at the forefront of the pandemic fight. Knowing he and other healthcare workers are there, helps millions of us sleep better, they deserve our respect, our prayers, and above all, our compliance.
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