My Journey goes on…………the journey of self-discovery in healthcare industry…………………..

Few days ago I have just completed my tenure of 5 long years as Assistant Superintendent (Non-Medical) in H&FW dept. I would like to share my thoughts and experiences in a nutshell. I suppose I will start of by answering the question “was it what I expected?”

No, not really. It was initially difficult to get along with the system. It was not a smooth journey and it won’t be either though, especially for those who are against the current forever.

Gradually, I had tried to realize the system and how it functions. During the process of my learning, the COVID – 19 pandemic had hit all aspects of people’s well-being. The COVID – 19 pandemic along with the unprecedented series of lockdowns that followed its onset, caused drastic disruptions to day to day life globally. It had a large scale of psychological impacts as it had led to social isolation. Moreover, COVID – 19 had provided a balanced explorations into positive and negative experiences. The pandemic has been a difficult, dramatic time for so many of us. We have lost loved ones, had our families torn apart, struggles financially and emotionally. Obviously, it was a deadly experience (especially the 1^st and 2^nd wave of COVID-19) ever having been attached to a healthcare industry and facing the crisis period.

It was another memorable incident.  On 2^nd June, 2023 we had experienced a horrific triple train accident in Balasore, Odisha in which around 1200 people got injured and 300 people were killed dreadfully. One of the deadliest rail disasters in last 15 years as per the previous history. Our hospital was one of the nearest points for providing treatment to those patients. Many patients had been admitted here, many unidentified bodies, limbs had been received here. The mortuary was piled with bodies in white shrouds. Families crushed away, limbless bodies and a blood bath area; it was wholly unforgettable site to experience.

And the cherry on top was when we had met our honorable Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee recently. Madam had visited all the patients admitted in our hospital. Truly it was a great honor and privilege to be able to meet her.

All these phases surely help us to learn handling the crisis period, to overcome all obstacles and to get motivated to contribute more.

Definitely many more experiences to be gathered in near future and being in healthcare sector, we are always prepared to face all the odds or uneven anything that comes in our way. Looking ahead, I am eager to leverage my knowledge and skills to positively impact the healthcare industry and contribute to the well-being of the individuals and communities.  Though it is mostly described as the “predictably unpredictable” industry, I am filled with a sense of excitement and optimism for the future.

“Experience is what you get when you did not get what you wanted”

Ms Susmita De

Assistant Superintendent (NM) (Gr-II)

Midnapore Medical College & Hospital, Paschim Medinipur

DOJ – 23.07.2018