The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the often hidden problems faced by first generation migrants.
When Dr Anita Adhikari arrived in Australia towards the end of 2009, she wasn’t expecting it would take her almost two years just to fulfil all the requirements needed to practice medicine in the country.
Dr Adhikari currently works as an Emergency Registrar at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, one of the few designated COVID-19 clinics around the city. The Australians choosing to stay in Nepal rather than pay high airfare and quarantine costsSince March, Dr Adhikari’s daily work involves assessing patients and deciding whether they are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit or to the ward for general treatment. Doctor Anita Adhikari from Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney.
Due to the fear of passing on the virus to her family members, she has had four COVID-19 tests done already and has so far managed to avoid getting infected. Like many first-generation migrants, Dr Adhikari doesn’t have the support of an extended family either. So, it really hit home when seeing some of her colleagues dropping off their kids to their grandparents to prevent spreading the virus. I think how lucky my colleagues are, they have support from their families.
The 35-year-old is also conscious not to see herself being in a worse situation and says the anxiety and sadness she feels thinking about her family and colleagues is small compared to the grief people go through when they lose their loved ones. Despite providing palliative assistance to hundreds of patients in emergency there are times when doctors to shed some tears adds Dr Adhikari. “No matter how strong a person may be, during such points, they can breakdown and it’s ok. Whether they’re doctors, nurses or administration person, it does make you upset,” she adds.
Dr Anita Adhikari acknowledges the support provided by the hospital to its staff, including debriefing and counselling services. With many colleagues in a similar situation, she says, they have become like a family.
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