Name of health worker: Dr. Viola Nahurira
Occupation: Doctor
Hospital: St. Mary’s hospital Lacor
My experience of managing COVID-19 patients has been mixed emotions; taught me that it is one thing caring for a suspect and another to look after a confirmed case where the factual diagnosis really MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
In both cases of caring for a suspect or Case, the community and those around, envision you as “COVID-19” itself even when you might be serial negative. I wish there was a way of improving the country’s testing ability and capability and quicken the turnaround time for results once samples are taken since knowing the result protects caregivers, health workers and everyone.
I have just concluded my 14th day after isolation, not yet back to work and cannot even confirm to you how this experience will affect my work in the next few months or even years.
I believe that the best way to tackle issues about stigma and post trauma stress disorder is to share our health worker stories so as to obtain ideas from other people how they handled these situations and inspire someone out there.
I am a DOCTOR for life and my work has got to continue.