Covid-19: From the Eyes of a Disabled Man | Dr Bhavin C Chauhan

Time has changed and are we changed? Well, that is doubtful. Corona has created a havoc in the life of millions of individuals. Business got losses, people lost their jobs, many were forced to work on half-pay, many are doing petty jobs for fulling their families. But what about those who are already weak, already at the mercy of medicine, already at the support of medicines and medical professionals. They have been suffering the most. Disease means absence of ease. Those diseases which requires frequent hospital visits and immediate medical attention suffered heavily. At one point, Covid-19 situation was a medical, economic, social, and psychological emergency which was not fully understood by the society and baffled among each other. Then after getting some clarity about the pandemic, people became over-protective and started a mission to stop hardy a disease but diseased. Those who had Corona not only faced physical and economic issues, they also faced social wrath also with greater inhumanity. People are not ready to understand that to stop the pandemic collective consciousness and effective measures at mass levels are required. They started spreading hatred and heat around for those who are suffering from Corona. Soon Corona has become a social stigma rather than a physical condition. The stress the patient suffered is so monumental that many have died out of fear of Corona, rather than actual effects of Corona.

Even the abled bodied individuals with well-maintained lifestyle and higher immunity fell short in keeping themselves away from Corona. In that case, what would you be the conditions of those who are already weak and sick? Those who are differently abled and not able to survive without aid.

I am talking about one such disability- Haemophilia. It is a genetic disorder with a twist. In this disease, the body does not produce clotting factors that stops the bleeding at the time injuries. Due to that, even a small injury causes massive blood loss. Only cure is Factor-8/9 injections which nothing but synthetic clotting agents. Unfortunately, these injections are very expensive. 1000 unit of one injection costs around 20,000 to 25,000 rupees which is the normal monthly income of a middle-class family. And as per the injuries, one injection may not be sufficient. Whenever I get injuries, it takes 3000-4000 units of injections which roughly cost more around 80,000/- rupees. Now that much amount per injuries is highly unaffordable. Thanks to the efforts of humanitarian Haemophilia Society, in India, the Factor 8/9 injections are freely available at the Government Hospitals. The only catch is that you need to get admitted/ you need to be there to get the injections which was OK [of course, many a times, inconvenient for patients] until this pandemic.

Now, as the Government hospitals have become the main place to treat the patients of Corona, the persons from other diseases who are dependent on these hospitals were in big dilemma. What to do? If these injections of Factor 8/9 are to be purchased from outside, there are chances of going bankrupt. If the Haemophilia patient goes the Government hospitals which is full of Corona patients, which is also considered a highly infectious place for causing infection, there are high chances of getting Corona. The humanitarian Haemophilia society came a saviour in this strange situation to help those who need the injections of Factor- 8/9 badly. They provided the injections freely to those who had injuries as their requirement. It was a sigh of relief when the injections were given the suffering patient as without it, life starts tormenting.

I had four an encounter with the injuries during this pandemic from March- July 2020. I had a severe shoulder bleed, convulsions, and thigh bleeding. All these injuries changed my perspectives about humanity and medical systems in India. At one hand, I experienced the height of lethargy of medical professionals and insensitive of surroundings, on the other hand, I also discovered the endless dedicated of medical professionals and gentle care of community. The both sensitivity and insensitivity were co-existing. Being a patient in the hospital, I saw how some members of community exploited on the fear and helplessness of the distressed ones. I also witnessed with contempt and scorn; the patients were treated. I also experienced the warmth and care of the society at hospitals as well as in general also. Both virtues and vices are around us. This juxtaposed situation baffled me about the very nature of humans: who we are and why we are. There is no possibility of giving any judgements of humanity as the moment you are about to form a judgement; humanity changes its shades and it goes on and on. So, my metaphysical quest is also on. The world is on flux, things are changing constantly and rapidly but age-old values and virtues still reflects in the kind deeds of humanity. Still there is a hope, still there is aspiration that this shall pass too and the next day will be much brighter and happier. Hope lives on.

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