Mysore/Mysuru: “I am happy to work as Corona Warrior but sometimes it scares me as I too have a family. But I forget everything after seeing recovered patients returning home happy.” These are the words of Indumati, a nurse who is working on a contract basis at Saligrama Government Hospital since last 15 years.

During COVID-19 first wave last year, she was sent on deputation to the District Hospital in Metagalli. Within ten days of working, she felt throat pain and upon testing, she came to know that she had contracted Coronavirus. Initially, she was scared but she recovered after ten days of home quarantine. However, she was panicked as to how they would be able to work in the midst of positive patients. Soon, she overcame fear and started working. A few patients are scared. While some shout at them, few others talk nicely and share their problems. Confidence is instilled in them, she said. 

The sad thing is that they work on par with the regularised Government Nurses but there is no equal pay, she rued.

 “In summer, it is very diffi-cult to wear PPE kit and work continuously for 8-10 hours. Once worn, it cannot be removed till the end of duty. Once we eat breakfast and drink water, we cannot have anything in the middle as we cannot take any lunch break. We have food only after our shift is over,” she added.