By TRN Online, Kathmandu, June 6: After recovering from COVID-19 most normal people would tend to take extra precaution and stay away from people infected with the deadly virus so as to avoid getting re-infected. But, for Madhavi Shah, recovery from the life-threatening infection was a turning point in fulfilling her passion for social service.

Over a year since she got over the novel coronavirus infection last June, Madhavi Shah, a resident of Nepalgunj-12 in Banke district, has devoted her life for helping the infected in any way she can.

"I began with managing plasma for critical COVID-19 patients, and fortunately I have been able to arrange plasma for some 225 patients across the country. Now, as the need of plasma seems to be slowing down, I have devoted myself in counselling those in home isolation, asking their problems and providing assistance," Shah told the TRN Online.

While she suffered from the infection, she had a terrible experience, and she made up her mind to work for saving lives of the other infected. "When I learnt somebody was in need of plasma, or fresh blood from a person recovered from COVID-19, I went to the Bheri hospital for plasma donation. But unfortunately, I could not do so because a mother could not donate plasma. But, even then I decided to work for arranging plasma," she shared, adding, "I collected contact of recovered patients and called them for plasma whenever there was a need".

Just recently, a few days ago, an infected woman undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kohalpur passed away due to heart attack despite getting over the infection. One of her family members called me as none had received their call at midnight, and asked if I could arrange for a hearse to carry the body to Dang. On my part, I called many concerned people, but the ambulance of the army here was managed for taking the body, Shah shared about how she comes handy for people in sorrows.

Shah's strength is that she is well known as a social worker although a teacher by profession. Being a Rotarian, she has been involved in some kind of social works.

Madhavi Shah was felicitated by District Adminstration Office of Banke for her contribution in time of COVID-19 crisis by volunteering in swab collection and plasma arrangement for patients.

Lately, Shah has been counselling COVID-19 patient in home/institutional isolation. The District Emergency Operation Center (DEOC), Banke, has allowed Madhavi Shah to use their phone after 2 pm and she makes calls to enquire about the condition of the patient in isolation. She has made such calls to over 300 people in the past two weeks.

"Infected people share their problems with us and we offer our advice and support on the basis of their problems. If they need medication, we give them phone number of the concerned doctors. Some patients express their despair for having been isolated, not contacted by anyone, and they thank us for calling and giving support. They also share their health problems, such as difficulty in breathing, cough, body ache, chest pain and weakness," she says.

"Listening to patients attentively and sharing your experiences and support can also boost their confidence. People get a positive feeling when they know they are being cared for and there are people supporting them in some way."

Shah says she has a passion for what she terms humanitarian service and being able to help the needy, at this time the COVID-19 patients, gives her immense satisfaction.

Banke District Administration has honoured her for her contribution in arranging plasma for COVID-19 patients. "Commendation and prizes are secondary things, primary thing for me is the self-satisfaction that I get from social service, from being a helping hand to those fighting against COVID-19, in the form of support, counselling or encouragement."