“When it's over, I will continue to work,” - Prabal Pradhan, RUDN medical resident

You are a qualified doctor, a future traumatologist. Why did you decide to help RUDN GPs?

I understand that now there is a big burden on GPs who need to visit patients. There are 14 dormitories on RUDN campus accommodating several thousand people. Everyone now may need additional attention from the medical staff. Therefore, I decided that I would help GPs of RUDN Medical Center.

What has changed in everyday life?

My life schedule has changed. I work every other day, the shift starts at 8 in the morning and lasts 12 hours. I’m responsible for several hostels where I go for calls. Each building has special rooms to examine new patients separately. If there is even a slightest suspicion, I can call an ambulance. So far, the only case when I did it was when a student had an attack of appendicitis.

I also moved to another hostel - new hostel No. 15. All the students, residents and graduate students of the Medical Institute who are helping in hospitals now, were resettled to occupy separate floors in the new hostel. This is a very correct decision - this reduces contacts with our families. Actually, I come to the hostel only to sleep, I’m already used to the new room and hope to stay here after it's over.

Prabal, how is the situation in Nepal now?

In Nepal, the situation is not as serious as in many other countries. However, there are patients, and their number is constantly growing. I regularly communicate with parents worrying about their health - they are well, and I am very happy about this.

Are you ever scared?

I admit - it can be a little scary during new visits, of course. Now everybody is at risk - the virus knows no differences either in citizenship or in profession. After all, we have never encountered a pandemic of this magnitude. But I understand that in order to help the maximum number of patients, doctors now must be especially careful about their safety. Therefore, when working with patients, I always use disposable masks, gloves, hats, disposable coat, shoe covers and glasses. After examination, I take everything off, wash my hands and treat them with antiseptic. This is already a habit.

What will you do first when everything is over?

I will continue to work.