A Doctor’s Plea to the Public: Dr. Hanaan Choudhary

Dr Hanaan Choudhary is a full-time medical practitioner battling COVID-19 in Delhi. He is also a fitness enthusiast helping people with free medical and fitness guidance, whenever he gets time from his daily schedule.
Dr. Hanaan Choudhary says, “Medicine and fitness are my two passions and this is a great way of being productive even in my hours away from the hospital.”

Dr Hanaan was on a well deserved leave from work and spending time with his family when the pandemic started to spread in India. Honouring the call of his noble profession, Dr Hanaan didn’t lose a moment to resume his duties as he felt it his responsibility and calling. His family were worried of his well being but were also proud of having a son like Hanaan.

“I’ve been living and working in Delhi for almost 5 years now”, – explains Dr. Hanaan Choudhary on being asked about his experience about the pandamic, “and have worked for some of the most prominent and busiest government hospitals but never have I ever felt this terrified walking into the hospital.

“As a Junior Resident in Surgery, we are the first line of defence in case of a surgical emergency and often work in the ER round-the-clock. While we are used to facing all kinds of challenges, we have seen nothing like this before. We are fully dedicated to taking care of all patients, with or without COVID-19 infection, despite the risk of personal or familial harm. However, even performing surgeries on AIDS and Hepatitis patients is not as challenging as treating COVID-19 patients. There is an all-pervading distress in the air when every patient has the potential to be a COVID-19 case.”

Keeping yourself physically and mentally healthy while treatment is of utmost importance to the medical staff and it requires a lot of efforts during a pandemic. Your limits are tested time and again at work and its never easy to go through the day with the daily routine while keeping yourself stable. But Dr. Hanaan not only has kept himself remarkable healthy, he is also helping out his fans on the social media during his free time.

When asked about the response from the people, Dr. Hanaan says, “Unfortunately, many doctors are being harassed, even attacked, by the locals and other people around them. I have seen my neighbours looking at me as if I was some kind of biological bomb, only because I am a doctor who is working in a hospital. Left to them, they would’ve got me evicted from the neighbourhood long time back.” This is a sad situation as in times when they need the biggest support, they are witnessing acts of violence against them. But even this has not discouraged
Dr. Hanaan who seems determined as ever to help his patients. Even with these acts of terror, he known the whole of nation stands united for him.

“My parents call me several times a day just to ensure that I have enough food supply and I am safe. More than my safety inside the hospital, they’re worried about my physical safety outside the hospital, as they keep getting news about people attacking doctors.”

On behalf of every doctor, nurse and other medical personnel working day and night to fight this never seen or known before deadly COVID-19 pandemic,
Dr. Hanaan Choudhary urges fellow countrymen to understand the importance of the first-line defence and stop attacking them, so they can keep everyone safe.
All medical professionals, who have dedicated their lives to save you and your loved ones, without worrying about themselves and their loved ones, must receive the support that they deserve, especially in such time of deep crisis.