Heart-wrenching: Covid stress takes toll on docs

OLD GOA/PANAJI
Is the Covid pandemic-related work stress taking its toll on the health of GMC doctors, who are working tirelessly to provide treatment to patients rushing to the hospital?

This question was doing the rounds after a senior GMC doctor pointed to the possibility of workplace stress being the reason behind the detection of his heart ailment.

In his message which was posted to well-wishers and friends on social media, the doctor said: “What surprised me was at my age, with no prior risk factor, no family history of heart disease, zero smoking/drinking/addictions or existing comorbidities, except workplace stress, how it could be this bad.”

“Incidentally, three of us doctors all aged around 50 at GMC are admitted for heart conditions in last 24 hours. Perhaps, God sent us a strong warning for GMC doctors, including me, to take a forcible break from non-stop duties. I pray other doctors and healthcare workers also come and actively team up with our dedicated doctors, nurses and HCWs who are tirelessly working during this pandemic,” the message further states.

The doctor has further stated that he is going to undergo surgery to treat his heart ailment.

Ironically, a few days ago, a senior doctor from GMC had passed away after suffering a heart attack.

Admitting that doctors are overworked and are undergoing work-related stress as well as mental pressure, resulting in various illnesses, a senior Goan doctor on condition of anonymity told The Goan that all doctors, including those at GMC and others in private practice, are facing this problem.

‘While a doctor is undergoing surgery on Tuesday morning, there is another doctor who is also admitted at GMC for angioplasty. Another doctor has taken antidepressants and is admitted too,” the doctor said.

“A senior doctor is also admitted in a private hospital for treatment regarding some other illness. So, doctors are ill themselves and we need to take care of their mental and psychological health before it’s too late,” cautioned the doctor.

A source at GMC stated that  all vacations and leave for the faculty at GMC have been cancelled since the pandemic began and they have been working continuously since March last year.