In a conversation with Goodlifepedia, Dr Subhrendu Shekhar Sen, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College and an Art of Living teacher, shares his experience in fighting COVID-19. Through this interview he has tried to make people aware about the safety protocols issued by the district administration as well as the state and local governments to curb the pandemic and prevent community transmission in Silchar.
Q. Hello. Dr. Sen, thank you so much for taking out time from your hectic schedule for us. Kindly tell us something about the preparations in SMC (the testing process, equipment, facilities etc)
The current scenario is perhaps one of the most challenging times of our lives; something none of us have ever experienced before. And this is true especially for microbiologists, technicians, health care workers and all the front line warriors like us.
Almost all the government medical colleges are equipped with Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) to control viral outbreaks. This is done by a technology called PCR or polymerase chain reaction. Here the genes of the virus are detected.
Thanks to the government for making our labs equipped with all the necessary machinery, sufficient man power and huge data processing systems. Every day all the doctors and staffs of microbiology department are working day in and day out to collect and perform tests on huge number of samples.
(Know A to Z about Corona virus from ‘Corona Katha‘- A government of India initiative)
Everything starts with sample collection which is again a tough job. Samples of suspected patients and travelers (from airport and ISBT) are brought to VRD labs. Silchar Medical College caters to 4 districts (Cachar, Karimganj Hailakandi and Dima Hasao).
Approximately 500-1200 tests are done every day. Contact tracing i.e., tracing and testing samples of all the persons who came in contact with a COVID-19 patient is also done. Apart from this, patients who complain of respiratory issues are also tested.
Q. …and what are the challenges?
From the experience of my involvement in past 2 epidemics I can attest the fact that the current pandemic is by far the most challenging one.
Two types of surveillance systems i.e., the ATSP and ACSP have been initiated to check or control the outspread of this virus. First is the ATSP (Target Surveillance Program): Here you select a target population who are prone to get infected and spread this disease. For example, the front line workers and the workers in quarantine centers and medical colleges etc are tested to ensure that they are safe.
In ACSP (Community Surveillance Program) we collect samples from door to door.
Post test data management is again a huge task. For example SMC alone uploads around 600-800 results per day. There are 7-8 centers in Assam and so many centers in India. Needless to say ICMR is doing an incredibly good job in managing these heaps of data. Kudos to all the data entry operators too for doing such a strenuous work so professionally.
Another important challenge is to control the hospital acquired infection from the patients to the medical staffs. For this we are using PPE kits, face masks, gloves round the clock. Taking Nasal swab is an aerosol producing procedure which should be done with utmost care failing to which, the technicians or the surrounding people can get positive. Shifting the positive patients to COVID wards are done through different routes. While entry to the COVID wards are restricted only to the concerned authorities, the entire hospital has been divided into 3 zones-green, yellow and red zones. Movement of health care workers in COVID wards are subjected to stringent protocols. Trainings have been provided to all the medical workers on wearing masks, sanitizing the body and other safety related issues.
And what delights me is the fact that in spite of working relentlessly in COVID wards for over a month now, none of our health workers have acquired the virus yet. All thanks to the SMC management!
Q. From what you said, it is clear that the administration, government officials and healthcare workers are working round the clock to keep us safe. How can we citizens join this fight? Any advice for people of Silchar?
The citizens have big role to play here. All the preparations will go in vain if common men of this town does not understand the gravity of this situation.
a) Be aware of what is happening around you:
With the government spending so much resources to educate people regarding the do’s and dont’s of COVID-19, it is your duty as a citizen to spread this awareness as far as you can.
i) Try to educate people around you (your house maid, rickshaw pullers) who do not have access to education or information.
ii) If someone in your neighborhood roams out before completing their quarantine period, report this to the authorities immediately.
iii) If you use public transport, make sure that the driver does not overload the vehicle. Social distancing norms must be followed at any cost.
b) Help your local administration and frontline workers: The district administration is doing a tremendous job by working round the clock. However not everything can be done by the government and the administration. You as a conscious citizen should be a part of this mission too.
Take responsibility of your own security first. Follow the guidelines laid by the government. Also spread this awareness around you, in your community.
If you find someone not taking the social distancing norms seriously, enlighten them.
If you find someone not wearing a mask, don’t hesitate to confront them. However if you are sitting alone somewhere you can take off the mask.
If you find any social gathering in your neighborhood, please let the administration know about this.
iii) Stop unnecessary socializing: For the next few months do not hang out with relatives, friends and neighbors much. Stop these tea stalls and canteen addas! This is not the correct time to socialize. However if you cannot refrain from socialization, try virtual meetings through social media, video conferencing etc.
iv) Do not neglect minor symptoms
Fever and cough does not necessarily mean you are affected by Corona virus. However in case of any minor symptoms like respiratory problems please report it to the authorities.
v) Stay clean, stay sanitized
i) Carry a small pocket sanitizer with you whenever you have to go outside for marketing or
ii) Keep a surface disinfectant in your office and spray your tables and chairs regularly.
vi) Elders and kids please do NOT go out
If you have elders or kids in home make sure they do not go out unless it is an emergency. If you are someone who is above 55 years old and is fond of morning/evening walks, stop this for a few months now. Instead do light exercises at home.
Q. Thank you for listing out these do’s and dont’s. How do we stay fit during this pandemic? As a health expert what would be your suggestions for our readers?
Look, the only way to fight this pandemic is to lead a healthy life. We do not have any vaccine yet. Once infected, it is only your immunity that can save you. Right now you have to be in a sound physical as well as mental state of mind. You need not do anything much. Just take care of the following simple things:
a) You need to have a healthy body
i) Maintain your usual normal diet. Refrain from eating spicy and tinned food. Fresh vegetables, fruits are recommended. Vitamin C, Vitamin E are immunity booster.
ii) Work out for at least 20 minutes a day. This will help in maintaining blood circulation throughout the body.
b) You should be happy and peaceful
Why I am focusing so much in mental health is because when we stay happy for a long time, our immunity level improves. It is because some specific ‘happy’ hormones like oxytocin, dopamin, endorphin and serotonin are released from the body. And here comes the role of breathing techniques like pranayama.
i) As an Art of Living teacher, I would like to add this point here. Yoga, Pranayama and/or simple free hand exercises followed by meditation will definitely improve your immunity. Sudarshan kriya, a revolutionary rhythmic breathing exercise is a great stress buster. It strengthens the respiratory system too.
ii) Do not listen to negative news for long. Hear music instead or read a good book.
There are a number of free online guided meditation videos. You can try these for deep relaxation of the body, mind and the spirit.
Q. Dr Sen can you list out a few home-made or natural remedies that can strengthen our immunity further?
If you are asking about daily supplement to strengthen your system naturally, then yes we have a good number of options here. Our ancient ayurveda has answers to this!
But please see that immunity cannot be boosted or improved in a day or a week. If you start a healthy lifestyle your immune system will start to strengthen over due course of time.
i) Tulsi, and ginger tea strengthens and cleanse the upper respiratory tract
ii) While discussing about immunity we cannot miss Turmeric! You can take it as a drink with luke warm milk every morning.
iii) You can buy a bottle of Amla or Aloevera juice from any nearby store and start taking these everyday.
Please understand that irregular sleep, too much stress, consuming red meat regularly, junk food and cold drinks are injurious to your body.
A Request to all the readers
As you all know that with the initiation of unlock process, there has been a steady rise in cases across all the major districts of the state, so I would like to request you to become aware so that we do not end up inviting local transmission of cases. If this happens, this will be our worst nightmare.
Right now cases are increasing in Silchar and its neighboring districts. What is happening in Guwahati, can also happen in Barak Valley. Recently I have witnessed very casual approach of people regarding community spread in Silchar. Please try to understand that we cannot afford to do this!
Important links
- Assam Government’s Corona Help Desk
- Corona help line numbers (all states)
- Aarogya Setu download link
Subhrendu,a well written article encompassing everything Proud of you my friend.
Thank you
Very much informative. Thanks Dr