Amid pandemic, CRPF medical officer works beyond duty hours to combat virus, hunger for people in Kashmir

Aaqib Bhatt 

Srinagar, Oct 22: Putting his own lives at risk with selfless determination for the sake of saving lives from virus and hunger, Dr Suneem Khan works beyond his duty hours to embrace different roles in challenging times.

Dr Suneem, a medical officer in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is on the front line of a fight against pandemic.

Amid a global pandemic, he far and wide proactively embraced different roles to serve people in J&K.

With coronavirus hitting the globe, he didn’t only perform his professional duties but reached out to poor and needy with food kits, life saving drugs. He bore all expenses from his salary.

Working 24*7, Dr Suneem has no time for his own family. “He performed duties beyond the working hours. Then, he used to get in touch with friends, surf social media but only to find the needy people,” said one of his close friends.

He added that Dr Suneem used to send food kits containing rice, wheat, cooking oil and other spices and milk packets which would last for a month a family with five members.

There was a times when health workers and doctors were dreaded to attend COVID19 patients or coronavirus suspected cases.

“Dr Suneem never did that. Dressed in protection gear, he will always talk to patients with confidence and help them physiologically as well. Even, he would used to interact with groups of COVID19 patients at designated COVID19 centre, make them laugh and sing to keep them mentally healthy,” said one of his colleagues.

Once, a patient tested positive for virus, requested COVID19 centre authorities to call Dr Suneem to see him.

As Dr Suneem arrived, the patient kept holding his hands. “The eyes of patient were full of fear and pain. He repeatedly asked Dr Suneem will I survive. Then, Dr Suneem told him few things in ear and the patients started smiling. It was after 25 days that the patient was discharged in a good health. During this time, Dr Suneem kept him visiting,” said an official.

While the medical fraternity was struggling in Kashmir to know effective measures against virus, Dr Suneem made advances in catching the early warning signs of a severe case of the disease and learned how to intervene early and effectively. He shared it with his colleagues but never claimed this achievement.

Doctors realized it was likely that many of them would be infected with the novel coronavirus. But the mantra of Dr Suneem was different; follow COVID19 protocol strictly and serve the nation tirelessly.

He has sponsored education of various poor but brilliant students, provided helping hand to needy.

While on one hand people across country and around the globe are largely confined to their homes with businesses and educational institutions all shut down in an attempt to contain the virus, Dr Suneem leads the battle against COVID19 from the front.

“Putting his own lives at risk with selfless determination for the sake of saving lives, he truly is our hero in these challenging times. While he put his own health, families, and most importantly their own lives at risk, the least we can do is appreciate his efforts and cooperate by following COVID19 safety guidelines,” said one of the senior doctors at SKIMS Soura.

He said that there might be some heroes we know and read in newspapers.  “That being said, it is good to see tributes pouring in for all the medical heroes working. But this unsung hero never tell people what great work he has been doing for the people of Kashmir,” he added.

Dr Suneem has been conferred with various national awards, appreciations and certificates.

“I don’t think I have done something great that needs a publication or appreciation. But yes, I am thankful for the love and blessings I get from people for my little efforts said Dr Suneem.