Unsung Heroes: “I was pregnant, but did not stop work,” nurse recounts experience of second wave

Muscat: When the going gets tough the tough get going, they say.

Suma Mamachan is one such soul of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, who braved all odds during the  second wave of COVID-19 pandemic despite being pregnant and did not shy away from her duty.

Posted as the ICU Staff Nurse at Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, Suma was pregnant with her second child but this courageous healthcare staff did not give up her post but continued to treat Covid-19 patients with more devotion and helped them recover.

Saluting her loyalty towards work, Times TV caught up with Suma Mamachan for a conversation on the 51st National Day, as part of the Unsung Heroes series.

“Nurses according to me, are the main support staff as doctors treat the patients. My team is responsible for providing specialised care to Covid-19 patients in the ICU. So for us, it was a dual job. We had to take care of ourselves as well as ensure the safety of patients, relatives and others.”

When asked about grief of losing a patient, she said, “I had to stand as a family member, as a councillor, a mentor and as someone who can provide physical and emotional support to them. In some cases, dying patients couldn’t even be with their loved ones. We would hold their hands and say our own prayers to them. Through it all, I learnt the values of responsibility, care, love, kindness and courage.”

Exhausted, weak and tired on most days, Mamachan would often get help from colleagues, other patients and bystanders in convincing new patients to trust the medical care being provided.

“Some patients would become panicky on entering the ICU. We would convince them you are safe here and let us help in curing you.”

But for her, the biggest challenge during the second wave was her family.

“My family, including my husband and my 5-year-old daughter are here. During the second wave, I was pregnant with my second child. But I continued my duty. We had not got our vaccinations then. I am thankful for the support of my ICU doctors, colleagues and the team who worked tirelessly to ensure that I was supported physically and emotionally during this time.”