COVID Warrior Travels From Vishakhapatnam To Mumbai With Her Newborn To Contribute To The Fight Against COVID-19

New Delhi: 33-year-old Chandini Mulukutla, Infection Prevention Control Nurse, was busy being a new mother when the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic was reported in China on December 31, 2019. In March 2020, the pandemic was still at a nascent stage in India, and Ms Mulukutla along with her four-month-old baby and family went to her native place in Vishakhapatnam. Little did she knew that a nationwide lockdown will be imposed to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and she will not be able to return to Mumbai even after her maternity leave is over. But the desire to serve the nation and help fellow nurses and doctors to fight against COVID-19 pushed her to cross the borders and resume her duty.

Also Read: From A Care Giver To A Care Seeker: Story Of A COVID Warrior Who Is Back On Frontlines After Defeating Coronavirus

Recalling the events and how she managed to come to Mumbai during a lockdown, Ms Mulukutla told NDTV,

I gave birth on November 7, 2019, and I was to join duty on May 6 but due to the lockdown, I was stuck in Vishakhapatnam. I wanted to come back to Mumbai anyhow but I had two challenges in front of me; firstly, there was a lockdown and secondly, my family was against me being on COVID-19 duty especially when I am breastfeeding my infant. But I somehow convinced my family.

Ms Mulukutla who has been working at Wockhardt Hospital at Mira Road in Mumbai for 6 years submitted a letter from her hospital to the local police commissioner and asked for permission to travel to Mumbai for work. Along with her 6-month-old newborn, 7-year-old son, husband and mother-in-law who is a cancer patient, Ms Mulukutla travelled to Mumbai by road.

Talking about her journey, Ms Mulukutla said,

It took us one and a half days and we had to cross nearly 50 check posts and at almost every check post we would show our passes to prove that I am travelling for work.

Also Read: A COVID Warrior Shares Her Experience Of Working In A Critical Care Unit During The Pandemic

Following this, Ms Mulukutla was under home quarantine for 14 days and subsequently joined work. Explaining her role during COVID-19, she said,

As an infection prevention control nurse, my job is to educate COVID warriors about infection control protocols including hand hygiene, social distancing, and mask protocol. I train doctors, nurses and other technicians on how to wear and take of personal protective equipment (PPE). I also take rounds of non-COVID ward and conduct audit of healthcare personnel on whether they are following precautionary measures like washing their hands before investigating patients.

Nurse Chandini Mulukutla teaching the handwashing technique to fellow COVID warriors

Also Read: COVID Warrior: A Doctor In Emergency Department Of A Mumbai Hospital Explains How Fighting COVID-19 Is Mentally And Physically Draining

Ms Mulukutla said that the fear of contracting COVID-19 and passing it to her family exists. Both her children and mother-in-law are a part of the high-risk group that is more vulnerable to catching COVID-19 and despite that, she has taken the risk of being a COVID warrior. Talking about the precautions she herself takes to protect her and her family from COVID-19, she said,

I have made myself mentally strong to fight COVID-19 and overcome the situation in the safest way possible. At work, we follow all precautions. As soon as I reach home, I take a proper bath, wash all my clothes and sanitise all my belongings including mobile phone. After this only, I meet my children and feed the baby. Since we live in a 1 BHK, I can’t isolate myself in a separate room also my children are young so they need me.

COVID warrior Chandini Mulukutla in personal protective equipment (PPE), ready to take rounds

While Ms Mulukutla works throughout the week (Monday to Saturday) from morning to evening, her 60-year-old mother-in-law takes care of her children. Ms Mulukutla feels blessed to have a family that supports her during trying times and for the fact that everyone is safe as of now. However, she has already told her mother-in-law what needs to do if she happens to be in quarantine.

I have told my mother that she will have to resort to formula feeding or the regular packed milk if anything happens to me.

Now, Ms Mulukutla plans to take the next step by starting to take rounds of COVID ward. She says it’s a blessing to serve people during a pandemic and she wants to continue working come what may.

Also Read: COVID Fighters: Meet Stina P S, A 25-Year-Old Nurse In Delhi Who Treats COVID-19 Patients As Her Family

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.