By Verghese V Joseph –
Responding to the State Government’s plea over caring for frontline healthcare ‘Covid Warriors’ such as doctors, nurses, attendants, police and other government officials in the battle against the pandemic, the Archdiocese of Bangalore has come forward once again with a noble initiative to rejuvenate them for a week before they head back to resume their respective duties.
The ‘Come and Rest Awhile’ initiative, a brainchild of Bangalore Archbishop Most Rev. (Dr.) Peter Machado, was blessed and inaugurated last week at Infant Jesus Pilgrim Center at Viveknagar. The building can accommodate 80 doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who work 24/7 at various hospitals across the city. They are housed at the facility for six days and resume their duties re-energised.
Lauding the efforts of these ‘Covid Warriors’, Archbishop Peter said, “The Archdiocese of Bangalore considers it a privilege to welcome these self-sacrificing warriors at our places which can used for rest and relief for them. Presently, we have offered a pilgrim centre with facilities close to the Shrine of the Infant Jesus in Viveknagar, Bangalore. We are looking for more such places that we can offer to the Covid Warriors to rest and relax after a strenuous period of service.”
“While the nation is applauding the services and sacrifices of these ‘Covid Warriors’, we are given to understand that the ground reality is different. Many of these warriors are not welcomed and allowed to stay and be quarantined for the time that they are laid off for a break, till they can report again for duty,” he added.
Lokesh P, one of the 10 residents currently at the facility, who works as an attendant at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (formerly Bangalore Medical College) was very happy with the facilities at the centre. He said the rooms were clean, neat and welcoming and every effort was being made make them feel comfortable. “This would help in boosting our morale and also help us physically to get back to work with renewed vigour,” he added.
Area counsellor Shivkumar and the Viveknagar Inspector K M Rafeeq and Jude Devdas and Emmanuel Tarul of Fig Tree foundation too have played a huge role in making this facility a reality. According to Tarul, “The Fig Tree Foundation, a youth led family run initiative, supports the underprivileged 10th and 12th graders, to further their education. Supporting the Covid home was a blessed opportunity for us to put our efforts in action. The foundation is also aware of the challenges and requirements that come up during trying times like these.”
Fr John Sudeep, Director of the facility, commented, “We are making every effort to keep them happy and feel at home. The building can accommodate around 80 persons. As per norms, they are to remain in the campus. Doors will be locked from inside and opened only to receive food baskets. Even the Centre staff will not be allowed inside the building.”
Vegetarian food will be prepared outside and delivered at the gate and an assigned helper will reach them to individual resident. The left-over waste will be discarded as per the health department guidelines. Each room is provided with basic essentials to see them through for a week.
“During their stay, we want them to feel that they are part of our family during their stay in our centre, we will also provide a cake on their birthday/wedding anniversaries,” Fr Sudeep added.
Alex Medis, whose boundary wall shares with centre, is joyful that this initiative bodes well for the ‘Covid Warriors’, without whose help the battle against pandemic may well become harder. He was very appreciative of the facility exclusively for Covid Warriors’ wellbeing.