Kolkata health workers get inoculated, vow to continue fight till coronavirus battle is won

KOLKATA: From doctors at the frontline and senior hospital administrators to nurses and sweepers, vaccination brought together a curious mix of health workers across Kolkata on the inaugural inoculation day. The recipients included several Covid survivors who had soldiered on in line of duty despite being affected. There were others who had ignored the risk.On Saturday, they vowed to carry on the fight with greater enthusiasm.
Soma Laha, who became the first KMC medical officer to get vaccinated on Saturday, is a familiar face in the Chetla-Kalighat belt. A true Covid warrior, she didn't refuse a single patient even at the peak of the pandemic. While flagging off the the vaccination programme at Mayor's clinic (Chetla), chairman of the civic board of administrators Firhad Hakim mentioned that Laha didn't take a single day’s leave since the pandemic broke out.

Laha said she would continue to do her best in maintaining a vigil since the virus remains active. "Now, with the power of the vaccination, I shall go the extra mile to ensure that people get right treatment at the right time," she said.
Twenty-seven-year-old Sajida Ashraf had just joined the KMC ward health clinic at Ekbalpore as a medical officer when the pandemic started spreading. Along with five other medical officers, she queued up at Mayor's clinic at Chetla on Saturday. After receiving the shot, Sajida recalled the difficult period when the virus was spreading fast in the Ekbalpore--Kidderpore belt. She herself tested positive but returned to work after 14 days of isolation.
“Initially, I was scared and had wished to resign. But my father kept me telling that it was my duty to serve people and a physician can't run away from a pandemic. I was convinced and never thought of quitting after that,” she said.
However, this young medical officer is concerned about the casual approach of a section of people who don't even wear a mask. “The vaccination process will go a long way in creating a shield against the coronavirus in the years to come. I appeal to the prime minister to ensure that all citizens are vaccinated as soon as possible,” she said.
Chittaranjan National Medical College (CNMC) medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal Sandeep Ghosh volunteered to be the first recipient at the hospital after noticing some hesitation among a section of staffers. “There seemed to be some doubts so I took the initiative,” Ghosh said.
Beliaghata ID Hospital principal Anima Haldar queued up with MSVP Asis Manna, infectious diseases specialist Yogiraj Ray and community medicine specialist Sanjib Bandyopadhyay. Manna, who took the jab at 11.30am, said he was relieved and hoped this would be the first step towards eradicating Covid.
CNMC nurse Ruma Das said she felt excited to take the shot. “We are more vulnerable than the rest. Now, I feel more assured and am waiting for second dose,” she said.
SSKM Hospital group D staffer Amit Poira joined the vaccination queue at 9.45am. “I got a call on Friday evening asking me to queue up for the vaccine by 10. I had been looking forward to it since I am more vulnerable as a hospital employee. This gives me the confidence to work fearlessly,” said the 30-year-old.