World Red Cross Day 2020 – Lauding The Frontline Health Workers

World Red Cross Day is observed every year on May 8^th to celebrate the principles of the “International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement”. It is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828. Dunant was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize. The Mission of the Red Cross Society is to inspire, encourage and initiate at all times and all forms of humanitarian activities so that human suffering can be minimized and to create a peaceful environment.

World Red Cross Day 2020

World Red Cross Day is celebrated annually with a lot of enthusiasm. Events are organised throughout the globe where people participate by volunteering in blood donation campaigns and other humanitarian causes. These traditional celebrations are deferred this year in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

World Red Cross Day 2020 is celebrated this year with volunteers across the world paying respect and applauding for the frontline workers who are risking their lives to fight against the pandemic.

In this context, let us look at some of the stories of the superheroes of the time i.e. the doctors, who are not receiving the treatment they deserve and are facing the wrath of the pandemic in the worst possible way.

Harassment by the Society

When PM Narendra Modi asked for people to clap for the healthcare workers after the Janta Curfew, the entire country came out on their windows and balconies with whistles, steel plates and spoons to show respect and gratitude to the doctors as well as other healthcare workers.

What a moment.. Pure goosebumps… To the doctors nurses health staff police administration cleaners and thousands other who put themselves in danger to make our life safe. Kudos to you guys ??? #clapforourcarers #ClapAt5pm #clapforcarers #fightagainstcorona pic.twitter.com/fiR1DmLyl2

— Sudip Chakraborty (@sudipdatsme) March 22, 2020

Despite the overwhelming response of the community, the doctors are facing harassment in the society they live. A case of Dr Manishankar Madhav came to the forefront when he was ill-treated by his housing society in Dwarka because he was on COVID-19 duty and was in close proximity to infected patients.

In a horrifying incident n the state of Odisha, a junior doctor was evicted from her residence over the threat of rape.

Medical staff in New Delhi reported that they have been ostracized and discriminated against by their communities due to fears that they may be infected after working with coronavirus patients. Some doctors even reported being evicted or facing threats that their electricity will be cut off.

In Uttarpradesh, some locals pelted stones at a medical team and police personnel who had gone to take the family of a COVID-19 positive patient (who died recently), to escort them to a quarantine facility. Three people were injured including a doctor and pharmacist.

Accusation of Negligence

A video went viral on social media recently which was shot inside a ward at the municipality-run Sion hospital in Mumbai, which shows bodies wrapped in black plastic bags lying next to patients who are being treated for the coronavirus. The doctors and the BMC were accused of negligence on their part for not maintaining the safety of patients.

The turmoil of the healthcare staff was completely overlooked in the matter where they are burdened with the responsibility of treating the patients, maintain the safety of themselves and bear harsh treatment from the families of infect. Adding to their troubles is the fact that there is limited space in mortuaries and the families of the dead patients are reluctant to take the bodies with them for the fear of getting infected from the virus.

The doctors across the globe are called superheroes without capes. They deserve more than the hatred they are being subjected to. On World Red Cross Day 2020, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society has shared a video where the volunteers of Red Cross Society and people across the world are clapping to laud the efforts of staff and volunteers who are fighting with the global pandemic of COVID-19 on the frontline.

It’s already World Red Cross Red Crescent Day in some countries around the ?!! Today and every day let’s #KeepClapping ? for all volunteers and staff worldwide responding to COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/M8G3qD6MS4

— IFRC (@ifrc) May 7, 2020

We all wish to do something nice for the nation and for humanity. Today we have an opportunity to do that by helping out these frontline workers. All we have to do is, stay home to make their lives easier and show them support by expressing gratitude through such gestures to boost their morale as well as to keep them inspired.