Leaves shelter water!

The leaves of lemon grass shelter water drops till a wind moves the leaves. 

The health care professionals in India have been most vigilant to support patients of COVID although many carry high risk of exposure to the infection, although vaccinated. About 50 doctors seem to have died on one day, while engaged in caring for COVID patients. 

The support system to the health care professionals at a time like this has been inadequate. 

The caring of the carers is of utmost importance at this critical juncture. 

The long hours of work, emotional weariness, operational challenges like getting oxygen, lack of safe facilities at work, etc have compounded the situation. 

Now that the vaccination programme got stalled by the unjustifiable policy of the government of India, the agony is going to be prolonged. Even by the year end, fifty percent of population would not have got vaccinated!

The demand on the health care professionals would get further aggravated. According to Dr Devi Shetty, if children were to get infected in large numbers, we would not have facilities to look after them. 

I look at the lemon grass sustaining the water drops. A wind is enough to dislocate the water drops. If the health care professionals get disturbed, anxious and unsettled due to lack of support for their wellness, the health care would suffer. I fear for COVID patients who hang on delicately trusting our health care system!

What we need is a voice of hope to patients and health care professionals!

That voice ought to come from people who lead the nation. 

In the state of Kerala, the former Health minister, a lady of outstanding leadership, who got a big lead in the recent election, was dropped from being in the new ministry that is to be installed two days from now. It is a pointer to the malady of the situation. Efficient leadership is not what is preferred but 'yes' people. The current Chief Minister who is going to continue for a second term seems to have got 'yes' people in his cabinet! We run-in a system of governance by not being equitable and fair. 

I find that the health care professionals are in the receiving end! I feel for them and grieve with them! The post graduate entrance test is delayed, which means even less professionals in the hospitals! 

Where is the voice of wise counsel in difficult time!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)