India is currently witnessing the second wave ofcoronavirus pandemic which has caused havoc in people’s life. No one includingthe scientists and health officials thought that the second wave of theinfection will be more disastrous and will cause an exponential increase in thenumber of cases as well as death. India for over the past three weeks has been reportingover 3 lakh cases in a day. The increase in infection cases has collapsedthe medical infrastructure of the nation as at hospitals there lies the shortage ofbeds and medical oxygen.
In these hard times, doctors too have to make certainharsh decisions to allot a bed to a patient whose life could be saved. Dr. RohanAggarwal, who is 26 years old, is tirelessly working with Holy Family Hospitalto save the life of those battling against the contagious disease. Dr. Aggrawal hasto make the toughest decisions amidst the pandemic when he sees the attendants orthe family members of the patient pleading for mercy as their patient gasps fora breath.
Dr. Aggarwal works for 27 hours a day which includes hisovernight shift as in-charge of the emergency room at his New Delhi hospital.
In a conversation with an eminent news agency Dr. Aggarwalsaid, “Everyone including patients, relatives, and staff at Holy FamilyHospital know there are not enough beds, oxygen, or ventilators to keep everyonewho arrives at the hospital’s front gates alive.”
"Who to be saved, who not to be saved should bedecided by God," Aggarwal said.
"We are not made for that – we are just humans. Butat this point in time, we are being made to do this."
Apart from this, Dr. Aggarwal also has to make a choiceregarding whose life is important “an old man or a young guy” patient. This decisioncomes at a time when both the patients require high-flow oxygen. However, thereis only one bed available in the ICU.
He further added, “I don’t have to think emotionally thathe is a father to someone.”
“The young have to be saved,” he added.
Amidst the harrowing surge of the Covid-19, Dr. Aggarwalfears that “what would happen to him if he gets infected, knowing that his ownhospital will be unlikely to find him a bed.”
It may be noted here; the Holy Family Hospital has thecapacity to treat 275 adults, and presently is caring for 385.