Bengaluru doctor recollects his experience of tending to Nepal quake victims
Bengaluru: “I feel deep sadness for all those people who underwent the shock of the quake and the tragedy of suddenly losing their loved ones,” says 34-year-old Dr Guruprasad C., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. His words carry the tone of conviction since he actually saw and experienced the traumatic plight of the earthquake-hit Nepalese first-hand.
Back in the city and having resumed work after his profoundly moving trip, during which he treated and healed a number of earthquake victims, the experience is still fresh in his mind.
He recalls with a slight shudder, “At times my mind would go blank, seeing and treating so many patients in a single day. And yet I still felt that I had accomplished nothing. Though my team of doctors and I treated some 700 cases, we still felt it was not enough, as there were so many people who needed help,” shares Dr Guruprasad, who spoke exclusively to DC about his experience with patients in Kathmandu.
The doctor adds, “We were given walkie-talkies and were asked to stay with the group. Every morning we had serious discussions with other doctors and army people for clearances and setting up camps.” Dr Guruprasad and his team witnessed a host of patients, many of whom were trauma and panic cases and psychologically disturbed. “With the help of local persons we were able to understand their difficulties. Those who were symptomatic received the appropriate medicines, followed by material necessities like blankets and socks.
Most of them also had physical symptoms like cough, cold, fever and pain in the body and knee joints.” Some had fractured limbs. Children with clavicle fractures were bandaged with crepe and immobilised to allow healing. “We saw the smiles on their faces after receiving the medicine, torches, socks and other items. The hot food served to them further boosted their morale. Everyone who came to us was satisfied,” says Dr Guruprasad.
Their camps used to get crowded by 11am, adds the doctor. “The people started started crowding in by 10 or 11 am and our team handled multiple things like x-rays, cleaning of wounds and fractured limbs. By 2.30 pm daily we reached 600 patients,” remembers the doctor. He adds, “To unwind after a strenuous day, our team sang Kannada and Hindi songs around a bonfire and slept, looking forward to another productive day of serving the victims.”
He continued, “We used to wake up around 6 am and start our day with great enthusiasm. We did all we could to wipe away their tears and reduce the shock of loss from so many hearts and minds. It has been a tiring journey but a fruitful one. The only regret is that there were so many victims and we could only touch a portion. I wish there were more camps and doctors there,” ends Dr Guruprasad, who says this is one mission he’ll never forget.
