Thread by @thebetterindia

#DoctorsDay #FrontlineHeroes
#Thread 👇

1/ “When we are young, we hear stories of soldiers sacrificing their lives for the countries and working at the forefront. So when a crisis like this came, I knew I had to be among the ones serving the patients,” begins Dr Divya Singh.

2/ A few months ago, Dr Singh, who is an MS in General Surgery, had moved to Djibouti, Africa, along with her husband who works with the Indian Foreign Services.

But on hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to return to India anticipating an increased need for doctors

3/ “I returned to India in March when the number of positive cases was just about under 400. Within a week, I received a request for help from a volunteer group based in Mumbai. They required medical professionals to help with the pandemic surveillance Worli and Dharavi slums."

4/ So for almost a month, Dr Singh went from door to door conducting surveys to identify individuals with influenza-like symptoms.

Besides this, she also organised a crowd fundraiser along with other doctors to raise funds to resolve the PPE kit shortage.

5/ Although her parents were initially scared about her decision to step out and volunteer, they are incredibly proud of her mentality to serve society during this time.

6/ “A lot of people have asked me what motivated me to make such a drastic decision to come back from Africa, at a time when it is one of the few countries with a lower COVID-19 count........"

7/ "..... My answer is quite simple: this was my duty. Although I have only been practising medicine for a year after completing my studies, I believe that once you’ve taken up the job to serve the society, there’s no turning back until it is fulfilled,” says Dr Singh.

8/ During this time, Dr Singh also decided to cut her hair and donate it to an NGO that creates wigs for cancer patients.

We salute Dr Singh and other dedicated doctors like her who have shown that a white coat is no less than a superhero's cape. #Respect