Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Several prominent Indian physicians and counselors, who are also the frontline warriors in combatting COVID-19 pandemic, underscored the need for proactive outreach and prompt intervention to heal the post pandemic traumatic condition that affected some members of the community, especially women and children. They made the remarks while attending a panel discussion titled "Post Pandemic Trauma; A Way Out," organized recently by the Jeddah-based Goodwill Global Initiative (GGI), in association with Jeddah National Hospital (JNH). Indian Consul of Commerce & PIC Hamna Mariam was the guest of honor at the session, which was inaugurated by JNH Chairman and Managing Director V.P Mohammed Ali. In her keynote address, Hamna appreciated GGI for holding such a session on a very timely topic. While emphasizing that women and children are the worst affected segments of the society during the unprecedented pandemic period, she asked women to break the chain and go to doctors to relieve of their stress. "Women were in the grip of fear and anxiety after they had lost all ways for physical interaction with others and they have no respite as they had to take care of all family members stuck at home throughout day and night. Women suffered more trauma than men and hence there should be a space for women to talk about their concerns so as to lessen their anxiety and stress in a much better way," she said while calling on the community to shoulder the collective responsibility in this regard. The panelists made their presentation on major topics that covered the entire gamut of the post pandemic traumatic situation and the ideal ways to get rid of them. In his speech on the topic of "Maintaining overall positive spirit," eminent paediatrition Dr. M.S. Karimuddin said that coronavirus can be eradicated with vaccination or natural infection covering 70 percent of the population. "Protect the vulnerable from infection and educate the public to remove their concerns," he said. Abeer Medical Group Vice President Dr. Jemshith Ahmed (topic: Healthcare workers: Perspective from the other side) said health workers faced stress both at home and workplace with physical and mental exhaustion plus issues such as extra hours workload and shortage of equipment. Hospitals have had to conduct counseling for health workers to ease their stress. Dr. Francis Xavier (Psychological effects of COVID-19): Health workers did not have proper training to handle pandemic situation as it was for the first time. Most of the attended cases in post pandemic period were depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders that are seen mainly in those infected or remained in quarantine. Pointed education should be provided and consultation of physician is a must for treating trauma disorders. Dr. Indu Chandrasekharan (Vaccine-related concerns): Reduce risks with taking vaccine as it protects from severe disease, and dispel such concerns as vaccine would affect DNA and cause infertility issues. Strictly adhere to protocols after taking vaccine and highlight blessings in life as we are still alive and able to overcome the pandemic. Dr. Shameer Chandroth (Learning from pandemic fight): Nearly 25 percent of infected people can develop post COVID-19 syndrome such as depression, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Those infected with mild disease are dangerous and super spreaders as they spread virus without either testing or receiving any treatment and without knowing even about whether they are infected or not. Dr. Vineetha Pillai (Relieving women's stress): Women are the most vulnerable segment of community as they are overburdened with domestic responsibilities and over concern about the health condition of their children. Prompt intervention is required to address their issues with good family and social support for mentally stress women with proper communication to air their problems candidly and early detection to overcome their problems. JNH Executive Director Dr. Mushkath Mohammed Ali (Takeaway from a successful battle): The pandemic brought about massive changes in personal and social life featuring rapid and promising developments. We have to cash in on the brighter side of the pandemic in terms of vaccines, life saving devices, and elaborate innovations in ICT sector with vast opportunities. International Indian School Jeddah Student Counselor Ramseena Moushmi (Keeping Kids stress free): Pandemic impacted heavily on students, with diminishing writing skills, increased screen timing, addiction to mobile phones, un-organized life style, disturbed diet and sleep, and lack of physical activities inside four walls of life. They need to be trained to have an organized lifestyle, eat on time, sleep regularly and not procrastinate to task and work. GGI President Dr. Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University presided over the function in which General Secretary Hassan Cheruppa delivered welcome speech and Ashraf Pattathil proposed vote of thanks. The function began with recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an by Ebrahim Shamnad. Hamna Mariam presented memento to Noushad Chathalloor, director of H & E Live. Hamna Mariam announced the formal launching of GGI's Ladies Wing and its Family Counseling Cell. Habeera Mansoor (IISJ) made a presentation about the Ladies Wing and the Cell. Rahmath Alungal is the convener of the Ladies Wing while the joint conveners include Rehmath Beegam of IISJ (family counseling), Habeera Mansoor (empowerment), Nasera Sulfiker (entertainment) and Shabna Kabeer (teens). Those who organized the event also included Abbas Chemban, Kabeer Kondotty, Jaleel Kannamnagalam, A.M. Abdullakutty, Sadiqali Thuvvur, Noufal Palakkoth, Mansoor Wandoor, Ghafour Kondotty, Mansoor C.T, Alungal Cheriya Muhammad, and Sulfiker Mappilaveettil.
