Healing in times of Pandemic: Life on the Frontline

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the heroic frontline health workers play a critical role in the battle against the deadly virus. Worldwide they are our first line of defense, working tirelessly with compassion to provide support to their communities. In Bhutan, while the citizens were encouraged to do their part and stay home, our Bhutanese health care professionals ventured out to bolster the health care system.

Tshering Pem is a 27-year-old nurse working at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital. She was born and raised in the Paro countryside and later moved to live in Qatar with her family. “When I was little the doctors in my village were symbols of care and protection for the needy and unwell” she vividly recalls. Slowly her admiration for these doctors turned into a passionate pursuit as Tshering realized her talents lay in caring for her community.

Chasing her dream, Tshering completed her nursing degree at Edith Cowan University in Australia. “After graduating, my inner voice was calling me homewards” she said. Her desire to serve her community was always part of her journey as a healthcare professional and in 2018 she joined active duty in Thimphu, becoming the same symbol of hope and human connection she had looked up to in her childhood.

In December 2020, Bhutan was faced with another lockdown aimed at combating community transmission in Thimphu. Due to the gravity of the situation, the hospital called for the immediate recruitment of staff to join the COVID ward for duty. With no hesitation Tshering volunteered. “I am glad I was able to relieve and support my colleagues, especially those who were unable to join due to their greater vulnerability” said Tshering.

Dressed in a full white body suit tucked into thick knee-length boots, her face Tshering’s was covered by a surgical mask topped with another mask and then covered by a face shield. Her hair was neatly tucked under an operating theatre cap, covered with the hood of her suit and finally her hands were protected by three layers of gloves. Any and all remaining gaps in this medical suit of armor were sealed up by micro-pore tapes to ensure a complete vacuum under the suit. This was Nurse Tshering Pem’s Personal Protective Equipment or PPE for short.

When on duty, Tshering became well acquainted with her PPE, which for safety, was required to be worn continuously for the full 6-hours of her shift. “To prepare for my new experience with PPE, I watched online videos for tips from nurses across the world” said Tshering, as the global nursing community leaned on each other during this unprecedented time.

Tshering’s experiences in the COVID ward illustrated the challenges the health workers overcame during the pandemic. However, showing her dedication to her work, she spoke only of her concerns regarding “our limited ability to communicate with the patients” as well as connecting with her team, due to reduced visibility and hearing caused by the protective gear. “My team’s energy was focused on maintaining holistic health care, not only by providing medical relief but also being a source positivity and security for our patients” Tshering emphasized.

Tshering has experienced being in the trenches during a global pandemic, something that not many could have prepared for. With weeks away from loved ones and placing her own life at risk, her enthusiasm as a health professional remains undiminished by the experience. She places great appreciation for her fellow nurses who continued to motivate her during COVID duty. “Being surrounded by a team who looked out for one another and shared similar goals and genuine care for the patients was extremely inspiring and heartwarming” said Tshering.

Such difficult times do weigh heavily on most, yet Tshering talks not of the difficulties in tackling the unknown but of the lessons learned.  She says that “Although the experience was completely unfamiliar, we realized that we can adapt to any situation thrown at us—and that the human spirit is not easily defeated.”