You may remember we were helping to fundraise towards a new Oxygen plant and it is a stark reminder why when Prabhu explains, that at the peak of the last wave, 150 Oxygen cylinders a day were needed. Sadly although they were not able to help everyone all the staff worked tirelessly even though many themselves caught the virus or had loved ones suffering. It is also good to hear that the hospital was recognised by government bodies for their humanitarian work and offered help when practical.

We knew the staff were remarkable before corona devastated India, but this video shows the true dedication of a band of doctors, nurses, and auxiliaries who always put their patients first. Hearing from patients’ families about how the staff went above and beyond to save them is remarkable.

Thankyou to The Duncan for sharing this video with us.

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In other optimistic news, Prahbu added, ‘Vaccination is in full swing too with the government doing a great job of rolling out vaccines. I hope this helps.’ So do we, for all the Duncan staff working so hard.

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Hospitals all over the country have little or no oxygen supplies left and great numbers of staff are falling victim to the virus themselves. Many families are unable to find hospital beds for sick loved ones and are forced to take them home again. The Duncan is sadly not immune from this chaos as it is caught up in the grip of this latest surge. 

In a communication from a few days ago, we hear that Hospital Director Prabhu has covid, though thankfully we were told that he is stable for the moment except for symptoms like myalgia and cough. However staff there have taken a major hit this time, leaving few behind who are not ill to treat the patients they have. 

We were sent these heartbreaking words, “The situation here is really bad. In fact, it seems a thousand times worse than it was last year. Indians are absolutely unprepared to meet the situation. Only a very small percent received vaccines. Not enough hospitals, no beds, no medicines, no oxygen and even no doctors – anywhere. We hear death all around us. It’s scary to open the news.”

“Today we have a 15-year-old boy with epidural abscess leading to acute paraplegia. So he needed urgent spine surgery. No way we can refer him anywhere coz no hospitals will accept him in this crucial time. So Prabhu went and did surgery for three to four hours with all the PPE. Praying and hoping that the child would be able to walk again.”

“Please keep us in your prayers. That’s the best anyone can do for us now”

So please help us keep all at The Duncan in everyone’s thoughts. 

We will bring you any further news as we receive updates. 

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Later in the year as the pandemic situation eased, there was cause for celebration and moments of joy.

There is still a lot more work to be done in 2021 as The DHCT works towards our goal of funding a desperately needed Nursing School and Accommodation block, of which we will bring you more news next week.

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