Silent sacrifices: Where are most healthcare workers spending New Year’s? At work!

Doctors on duty

Dr Kavya Chinta, practicing at MCH Hospital in Jangaon district in Telangana, emphasises the challenges faced by medical professionals working during holidays. “I’ve found myself triaging my life choices as well. Working on nights like 31 December or any other holiday always comes with a bit more workload due to fewer hands available to share the responsibilities,” she tells South First.

She adds that the problem is actually on the next day, where she has to put aside all her patients’ pains and party normally with others, like nothing ever happened. “That doesn’t mean we are disconnected from them, I still follow up on them,” she adds.

Dr Prachi Rathod, the country’s first transgender doctor in Orthopaedics, reflects on the sacrifices required in her role. “Choosing to be a surgeon comes with the responsibility of prioritising patient care over personal festivities,” she tells South First.

“I have a 24-hour shift scheduled on 31 December. Initially, I was considering going to Goa or some other place, but due to my recent promotion and handling trauma cases, I can’t take leave. It’s quite disappointing because there are only a few moments when we can spend quality time with our loved ones, and 31 December is significant for many, including myself. I had plans, but unfortunately, I had to cancel them,” says Dr Rathod.

She adds that as a doctor, especially in Orthopaedics or General Surgery, being present in the hospital is crucial. “Trauma cases, including head injuries and road traffic accidents, are more likely to happen during celebrations like these. We must remain alert and sacrifice our personal enjoyment for the sake of those in need. Choosing to be a surgeon comes with the responsibility of prioritising patient care over personal festivities,” she acknowledges.

Speaking to South First, Anjanaiah Suresh, an ambulance driver, says, “31 December night is just like any other night for me — I’m scheduled for a night shift at the hospital. Earlier, my son was bubbling with excitement and had asked me to bring a cake before heading out for work. He was looking forward to celebrating the New Year together. Last year, I was at home, so we even had firecrackers to mark the occasion, but this time around, I can’t take the risk. My son, who is 12 years old, is a bit disappointed but he understands. It’s a simple celebration for us this time.”

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Beyond personal life

“Balancing personal life with demanding work hours can be challenging. Everyone needs their own time and, in any other profession, there are regulations — like an eight-hour workday. Unfortunately, in our field, due to the lack of staff and perhaps government negligence, I find myself working almost 20 hours a day,” says Dr Rathod.

For them, the workload is immense and the schedule is unpredictable. “As the first Orthopaedician here, we’re required to do 24-hour shifts twice a week, starting early in the morning and often not knowing when we’ll finish— sometimes as late as 11 pm, midnight, or even later. This contributes to the mental and physical strain we experience, hindering our ability to focus on our personal lives,” she adds.

Dr Chinta says, “As an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, my days often involve unpredictable emergencies and demanding duty hours. Many of my friends ask if I feel a sense of sadness working nights when the world outside is celebrating, but truthfully, once I’m immersed in my work, I hardly have time to dwell on what others are doing.”

She adds, “This lifestyle isn’t new to me; during my medical studies, while my sisters relaxed in another room of our house, I was either studying or working. Even attending social events like weddings was often sandwiched between or after long shifts.”

She points out that for doctors, balancing personal life with irregular eating and sleeping schedules has always been a challenge. “However, this year, I’ve resolved to prioritise my own well-being more. I aim to make essential lifestyle changes, ensuring at least the bare minimum of proper eating and sleeping habits,” she says, happy to be finally practising what she preaches.

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Line of work — no holds barred

Dr Rathod points out that the lack of proper grooming, irregular meals, and inadequate sleep are common challenges. “Considering New Year celebrations or similar occasions becomes difficult because such moments are exceedingly rare for us due to our demanding schedules and the immense patient load in government hospitals. Unfortunately, these conditions persist even after entering postgraduation or choosing surgical or emergency fields,” she notes.

She further says that she has been posted in Nizamabad for three years and despite government regulations mandating sick leaves and other days off, “due to staff shortages, we don’t get a single day of leave,” she rues.

Suresh says, “As a driver, during the festive season, my responsibility is to be ready to assist those in urgent need. While the streets buzz with excitement and celebration, inside my ambulance, it’s a different story. My duty demands that I disregard the festivities around me because someone’s life might depend on my timely response. A delay of just a few minutes could be the difference between life and death.”

He adds that he feels satisfied with his work. “Four years ago, there was an accident, and I was called to the scene. I rushed the patient to the hospital, fulfilling my duty. The following evening, a colleague told me that the family of the patient I transported was looking for me. I met the patient’s mother, who, with tears in her eyes, thanked me profusely. When the patient was discharged, I accompanied them home. In a heartfelt gesture, that grateful woman gave me a box of sweets for my son, saying, ‘You saved my son’s life and I prayed for your son too. Here’s a token of gratitude from the temple.’.”

The transition from one year to the next may symbolise fresh starts and resolutions for many, but for these healthcare workers, their dedication remains steadfast all year round.