Sacrifices made for an oath

A doctor of Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital has cancelled her maternity leave to join the hospital's Covid-19 unit and treat patients who have contracted the disease. 

Dr Mahmud Sultana Afroza re-joined work about six weeks before her leave was scheduled to end, leaving her 4-month-old son in the care of her family members at home.

Talking to The Daily Star, Dr Afroza said, "In the last few months, I've seen helpless people being deprived of treatment every day. So, I thought about cancelling my leave."

"After discussing with my family, we all agreed that I should return to work. I couldn't forget my professional oath and responsibilities in this pandemic," she said.

Afroza's husband Mahmudul Rahman Shawon fully supported his wife's decision, saying she has a duty to serve, and so, her family will take care of the baby while she is away.

Rezaul Karim Azad, treasurer of the hospital management committee, told this newspaper, "Dr Afroza, knowing full well about the risks treating Covid-19 patients pose, decided to serve them. We approved her cancellation, and she joined during the Thursday night shift."

The Covid-19 unit was launched at the hospital on June 8.