By Dr Pranita Joshi Deshmukh | Research Coordinator
A freshly passed out post graduated doctor Dr Vishal (name changed on request) visiting our outreach center in Dhadgaon was enthusiastic to be part of this initiative for the first time...however once we reached the center he was saddened to see deeply worried faces of Sickle Cell Disease Patients. He wanted to help but wasn’t sure how and when? Is there any medicine for happiness especially for those suffering with genetic diseases with a destiny of pain and worries? This question from his first visit was genuine and took us to need of genetic counselling, emotional support with preventive and therapeutic management for sickling crisis like conditions.
His emotional turbulence; with empathy, willingness and curiosity ‘to explore a HAPPINESS pill for Sickle Cell Patients’ was so evident that lead to a quest on “How a doctor/volunteer/donor /government agencies serve SCD patients better … not only for their bodily sufferings but also for mental agony.”
The Sickle Cell disease is making itself ‘marked’ in metro cities like Pune or Mumbai. This increasing number could be a result of migration from rural to urban areas and sometimes inter caste marriages or lack of pre-marital counselling.
New doctors like Vishal need to understand the changing book picture of community medicine statistics and presentation of the disease. How to identify Sickle Cell Patients, how to work on validating our theoretical knowledge and how to manage the patients with limited resources could be a challenge in front of future doctors as well.
Chronic illness is a daily reminder of struggle, which seems unending. Sickle Cell Patients live with this identity of sufferer or carrier of the disease throughout their limited painful lifespan. Understanding disease by all stakeholders is first step to treatment however understanding the mindset and psychology of patients suffering with genetic disease always remains a road less travelled by doctors.
As someone who lives with a rare disease, people often have a very different perception of how a patient think, feel, and live each day of his/her life. “While I have an illness, I am NOT my illness. It is merely a part of me.” Kind of Psychology needs a big boost. This can only happen when doctors are aware about patient’s pathophysiology as well as psychology.
After the camp activities our team always illustrates and train new enthusiastic doctors like Vishal on following three actions points
It’s aptly said that “Nothing is more beautiful than a real smile that has struggled through tears.”
Out genetic counselors work as members of a healthcare team, providing risk assessment, education and support to individuals and families at risk for, or diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia.
We held Sickle cell camp on 29th July 2019 with 62 new patients- AA ( normal) – 21;AS ( Carrier) – 28; SS ( Sufferer )- 13 along with free medicine distribution to 580 old patients.
At Maharashtra Arogya Mandal we try to make every day in the lives of sickle cell patients less painful and more joyous with such little attempts to give them little sunshine of happiness. .“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” This quote from Mary Anne Radmacher illustrates our untiring effort.
Organizations like Maharashtra Arogya Mandal need new socially oriented, technologically sound and empathetic doctors but these new generation of doctors need your support..and resources to keep going.
Until next time..keep spreading happiness !
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