An Interview with Dr. Rohit Pradhan

Trials and Tribulations

Looking at COVID-19 Through the Eyes of a Frontline Worker

Interviewed by Aarav Pradhan

Dr. Rohit Pradhan is a doctor with over two decades of experience in the field of medicine and is currently a frontline worker aiding several patients during the crisis. He works courageously to fight this pandemic head on and with the support of the people around him, has remained determined to protect and care for as many people as he can.

Among such trying times, we really must try to see the positives of every aspect of life conventionally considered a negative. Here to discuss the challenges and life of a frontline worker is Dr. Rohit Pradhan, being interviewed by his son and WIN Times’s Senior Editor and Columnist, Aarav Pradhan.

What challenges have you faced amidst the current pandemic? Has it adversely affected your productivity or ability to socialise?

COVID-19 has really changed the way we are living, and it has definitely affected all the aspects of our regular lives as doctors. I often feel this responsibility of having to protect myself since I manage so many patients and return home fearing the potential harm my exposure may cause my own family. Amongst this pandemonium, frontline workers are often put in a dilemma and constant fear that can only be overcome by familial support. The constant anxiety felt by us as doctors really puts a lot of stress on the fact that we MUST follow the guidelines set up for us by the government, they are made solely for YOUR safety and the safety of others.

Through all these challenges, who has been your support system keeping you determined and what have they done to ensure that you feel as safe and as happy as possible?

In simple words, my family, because they motivate me every day. To elaborate further, I truly believe having a friend or family member to support you through tough times creates this “safe space” where you feel protected from all the darkness the world may radiate. To all the people who do not have any support, I do understand it must be a great challenge, and I hope for the wellbeing of all. As doctors, we are trained to alleviate the ailments of the sick, but the true moral challenges are faced only in the toughest times. We must learn to be resilient, to be charitable and to be considerate. Also, being in a work environment where we can all empathise for one another really brings the seriousness of this pandemic into perspective, we feel more connected and determined by building each other up and supporting each other, even though the world may sometimes crumble.

The Pradhan Family: (left to right sitting) Dr. Rohit Pradhan and Dr. Dimple Pradhan. (left to right standing) Aarav Pradhan, Taneeshaa Pradhan

Why do you think it is important to follow guidelines set by the government along with maintaining your personal safety?

As we all know by now COVID19 is a highly transmissible public health pandemic and has affected all social and economic spheres of the world, maybe even beyond! No one, regardless of their social standing or identity, is safe from getting infected. Until we are able to contain the pandemic, it is ESSENTIAL that we follow these guidelines almost like laws and constitutions. Again, these guidelines are created keeping in mind public safety and aims to reduce the effect of this pandemic as much as humanly possible.

On the occasion of the World Health Day, celebrated on April 7 every year, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai took to Twitter to praise the role of the UAE's health sector in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.