There
comes in life of all of us, unforeseen, dreadful moments
when one is awestruck, just not knowing how to deal
with horrible situations. Presence of mind, poise and
courage help to overcome when faced with such circumstances. |
On
26 November 2008 it was around 10 at night, which
proved a terror night for Cama and Allbless Hospital,
Mumbai. Terrorists attacked the hospital and shot
dead two of the hospital staff. The Cama and Albless
Hospital is situated at the heart of Mumbai city.
It has CST railway station at its west and Church
Gate at the east. This hospital, established in July
1886, works specially for women and children with
focus on MCH care, with sanctioned bed strength of
505.
First
Midwifery Training also started at this hospital.
The institution, one of the oldest, was being threatened
by terrorists attack and all the staff of the hospital
faced it very bravely. When firing was heard it was
thought that people were celebrating India’s
victory of cricket match. But the evening staff who
were returning from CST told that terrorists had fired
at CST and they were likely to come towards the hospital.
Immediately,
the main gate of the hospital was locked by security
guards on duty. Meanwhile, two terrorists were able
to enter from the back side of the hospital and in
no time they shot dead two of the hospital staff (security
guards) - Mr. Bhanu Narkar and Mr. Baban Ughade. Both
the terrorists were firing heavily in the campus.
All the staff, patients and relatives were under threat.
Even then, each of them performed their duties bravely.
They put the lights off, brought the patients and
relatives at secured places like side rooms, milk
bank, bathrooms etc. so that if terrorists enter the
ward, they should be unable to harm anyone. All PNC
mothers were informed to give breast feeding to their
infants
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so
that they do not cry. That day, till 8.30pm, I was
working in my office as usual, and then I left for
home. My daughter rang me up and informed me about
the tragic situation at CST. As soon as I heard the
news, I called up the hospital staff home nurse to
inform the same. I also called up the Medical Superintendent
and informed her about all this.
I requested her to call the police immediately. I
advised all staff that they should put off the lights,
take care of patients and keep the ward doors locked
to avoid any further circumstances. During 1.40 am
to 3.30 am in the night, two ANC mothers gave birth
to their babies. Staff nurses, doctors, and ward aayas
saved the lives of mothers as well as the infants.
They
kept them laid down on the floor after delivery to
avoid possible injuries from bullets, which could
hit them from the windows of the ward. I was providing
moral strength to the staff nurses and students. I
told them not to worry, be brave. I know that only
moral support and their self confidence would help
them to overcome the situation. This terror lasted
till 3.50 am when both terrorists left the premises.
At
5.30 am the frightening morning of 27 November when
I entered the campus of the hospital the two bodies
of my hospital staff shivered me. I controlled myself
and thought I must stand firm to provide psychological
support to all the subordinates. Immediately I rang
up in all the wards and called upon all my staff nurses.
I told them not to be scared. When they gathered around
me, their emotions
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burst
out in the cry. I gave them emotional ventilation
and arranged group counselling sessions for all the
staff of the hospital for next two weeks after the
incident. One 28 November again we got the message
that terrorists were going to attack the hospital
again in the morning hours. Everyone tried to save
their lives and hid wherever possible.
We
also ran on the third floor of the hostel and tried
to hide ourselves under tables and beds. Thus 3 to
4 days after the mishap also, each staff was under
terror and was unwilling to come on duty. But the
counselling sessions helped them a lot to come out
of the situation. The memories of terror are impossible
to erase but it taught us the lessons of bravery and
awefulness towards our duty.
We
will never forget our two staffs who lost their lives
for hospital safety. We salute them for their bravery.
Now-a-days, it is essential for all the hospital staff
to face such situations so that in future they can
face such unbecoming events with confidence. Being
a nurse, we must use our presence of mind while tackling
such situations.
Following
are some ways which can be adopted to overcome such
situations if they occur : (i) controlled security
system, (ii) effective communication, (iii) efficient
disaster management system, (iv) trained staff, and
(v) proper coordination. Many other ways can also
be adopted depending on the structure and function
of the organisation.
Mrs. Chhaya P. Lad Nursing Superintendent
Cama & Albless Hospital Mumbai - 400001
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