A medical student's perspective on COVID-19 in Nepal
I have been thinking about writing a blog for days but had no idea where to start. Having seen the global effects of the pandemic with its unpredictable future, I was praying for this to end and to return to normal life. But, it has become clear that will have to cope with this issue until a vaccine is made accessible to us. I wish good health to all of our Mitrata family, and as a medical student, I wanted to share my view on the current situation in Nepal.
After completing my final exam in medical school, I went to a "Vipassana" meditation for 11 days. Vipassana is form of meditation wherein the person attending must maintain silent with detachment from all means of communication. There were no cases in Nepal before I joined Vipassana. As I came out after 11 days of complete silence, the country has already gone into partial lockdown. I rushed home as I already was on holiday after my exams. Three days later, Nepal went on full lockdown and is now in its 53rd day.
Sudan representing the Nepal Health Corps
We had only single digit cases for many week, and I am home after 17 years helping my single mother and have so far had no issues with the virus. But not everyone is not lucky as I am. Many Nepali migrants working abroad are stuck and out of food. Many are walking as long as 100 km with bare feet day and night to reach their home. The pandemic has created problems everywhere. We have to rely on PCR kits being donated with the government falling short in managing the crisis. In my village, I am volunteering to share my knowledge about this disease and help people solve their medical issues.
One persistent thought I’ve had over the past weeks is thinking about how many members of Mitrata family in U.S. will have either lost their jobs, are in unpaid vacation, or having their businesses close down. I have been following the complex news from the U.S. to see all of these updates. Yet still, I know how they are praying for children here in Nepal and helping more financially than before — no matter how difficult and stressful these days have been for them.
I had talked with Christine and many others in the Mitrata family during this crisis. The first thing they say is always: "Stay safe. We pray for all of you and are doing all we can.” In return, I can only give many words of gratitude. I have been regularly doing meditation for at least 2 hours a day. During this time, many thoughts come and go, and I have been thinking back on my journey from 8-year-old child to a medical student. I am so thankful for our Mitrata family and wish for all your good health. This self-isolation is only temporary. And life is the most important thing we have.
I also have a request: let's share our isolation time together by writing blogs and keeping in contact, and I am still hopeful to see the sponsors on the fall trip to Nepal.
— Sudan Adhikari, medical student and previous sponsored child through Mitrata’s program
