“The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men and women of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ” (GS.1). These expressions are extraordinarily applicable in the face of the Covid -19 pandemic. The Catholic Church does act and proclaim that human life is sacred and the response to the pandemic seeks to preserve human life through the healing ministry of Jesus.
Nature and difficulties posed by the disease specifically that the virus has no cure and that it is highly contagious adds to the challenges of frontline health teams like doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and other hospital staff. Motivated and sustained by faith in Jesus, hundreds of them have been working in this field. One such person is Sr. (Dr.) Flora Kuttiankal M.B.B.S, MS. Hailing from the Diocese of Palai in the southern state of Kerala; she did her MBBS at National Medical College, Kolkata and her post-graduation from Dibrugarh Medical College in Assam.
Sr. (Dr.) Flora belongs to the religious congregation of the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of Sts. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (SCCG) — also known as the Sisters of Maria Bambina – that have their origin in Lovere, Italy. The congregation was founded by a young girl of 26 named Bartolomea Capitanio in 1832. Bartolomea’s inspiration to found an Institute took shape because of her deep love for God and through her involvement in the actual situation of the people of Lovere – her native town in Italy.
Sr. (Dr). Flora has been working at Holy Redeemer Health Centre, Dimapur, in the North-Eastern state of Nagaland for the last 35 years. Interacting with Fr Tom Mangattuthazhe, Sr. (Dr.) Flora says together with her team of Sisters and health warriors, the centre has been active from the beginning of the Covid pandemic from 2020 and their ministry continues through 2021. Following is an excerpt from an interview with her.
What made you dedicate your life to the service of the unreached and less reached of our country, the North-Eastern part of India?
The desire to dedicate my life to the service of the unreached and the underprivileged of the country originated from the inspiration I received from my mother. Her family was under St. Augustine’s Forane Church in Ramapuram, where Blessed Fr. Kunjachen lived and worked among the underprivileged. My mother used to relate his life and works for the Dalit community when untouchability existed and many were converted to Christianity through his untiring efforts. I was impressed by the works of my mother who was eager to help the new converts in our locality.
The adventurous life of the missionaries working for the Lord in different parts of the country also continued to inspire me and to dedicate my life to the unreachable. With a firm determination to face any challenges, I responded to the call of the Lord and joined the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Sts. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa of Calcutta province. The life witness of St. Mother Teresa and the last wish of the Principal of my College who told me “I wish you to be another Mother Teresa” too kept on re-echoing in my ear, whenever I face any challenging situations and that encourages me to do my very best for the Lord.
People like you have been at the forefront not only during natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, Tsunami, etc. but also during the current Covid-19 pandemic. Aren’t you worried about your health and safety?
Once I made a choice to serve and was determined to face any challenges, all my anxieties and the fear of contracting the disease gradually vanished. The prayerful support of all, the initiatives taken by the Government at the very beginning, the collaboration and collective action by all health care institutions, the spontaneous response of the Sister Doctors Forum of India and the spirit of teamwork encouraged and supported one another. I was quite confident that without the knowledge of God nothing would happen to me. I was sure that the Lord who called me and stood by me in all the adverse circumstances in the past will never betray me.
During the first wave, the hospital beds were occupied by quarantine persons, many being positive and during the second wave, known positive persons were kept under observation and follow up. The OPD was functioning during the lockdown. Since one visiting doctor and two sisters were on Quarantine duty from May to October 2020 in four different quarantine centres, from 8 am till night, we took the following precautions as a preventive measure.
Those who were on quarantine duty remained in a separate setup.
- At the very outset, we placed our complete trust in God spending extra time before the Blessed Sacrament by turn
- We discontinued all common gatherings including common meals, community gatherings etc. Celebration of the Holy Eucharist was a free choice given by the priests who encouraged and supported us in many ways.
- We were wearing the mask in public places
- We maintained physical distancing in common places like OPD, dining room, chapel etc.
- We availed the means to boost up immunity like taking vitamin C-containing drinks (fresh lemon), ginger tea, consumption of fruits and vegetables and remained hydrated.
- Open-air exercises and gardening.
- A “Flu Corner” was set up at the OPD following Covid-19 care protocol and all the suspected cases were examined there only.
- Personal protective measures like wearing PPE, twice or thrice daily bath, keeping the soiled linen in hot water with surf and disinfectants before washing were routine practices.
- Since almost all the viruses will be destroyed by heat, we dried the linen in the hot sun, took warm drinks, steam inhalation, and used hot water for the bath.
- We took vaccination
Playing the Good Samaritan gives others hope. Where do you draw strength for your work besides managing stress and workload?
We draw our strength to carry out our mission by spending our time before the Blessed Sacrament, being faithful to our daily hour of personal prayer and from the Holy Eucharist.
Despite the hesitancy of the people in being vaccinated, what is your opinion on taking the vaccine shot?
One must protect oneself and the community. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against infectious diseases. Vaccines strengthen your immune system by training it to recognize and fight against specific viruses. When we get vaccinated, we are protecting ourselves and helping to protect the whole community.
What message can our readers carry from you?
God is the giver of life and he knows our joys, struggles and anxieties. He has given us fellow beings to support encourage and work together. God gives us two gifts every day. One is a choice, the other is a chance; the choice of a good life and the chance of making it the best. So make the best use of everything placing our trust in God alone.
The words of the followers of John the Baptist, “What are we to do?” (Lk 3:10) is an apt thought-provoking reflection.
Sr. (Dr). Flora and her team in the diocese of Kohima in Nagaland are vivid expressions of such questions. Their very concerns are the concerns of the people of God and God is present through them. As God sent Isaiah to reassure the exiles that he was there with them and that in the fullness of time he would restore Israel, we see that God cares for His people and is there among us.
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