The month of March, in the year 2020, marked the inception of the nation-wide lockdown in India.

The first victim of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) had been reported in China. Given the alarming communicability of the disease, it soon grabbed the attention of the world with its potential as a pandemic. Naturally, the masses were frightened.

India successfully kept the number of cases at nil for quite some time. When the first case of infection was reported in the country, the people were terrified, and uncertain about the future. With the dire scenario of the world serving as an example, it was expediently decided to enforce a nation-wide lockdown.

Initially, the lockdown was not lent the weight it deserved by a certain section of the populace. They failed to apprehend the gravity of the situation. This led to a distinct spike in the number of cases, with the number of positive cases in the country swiftly running into thousands.

The lockdown continued. Curfew was imposed to drive home the sense of emergency that this pandemic necessitated. Barring essential services (such as Hospitals, medical stores, police, etc.), the entire socio-economic machinery had been brought to a grinding halt.

The pandemic raged on. The hospitals were filled with cases of Covid-19. Given the nature of the novel coronavirus as being highly contagious, all other treatments had to be put on halt. But the world has other problems too, apart from Covid-19. There were people fighting with heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, accidents, and a plethora of other possible ailments.

Cancer patients had to face severe inconvenience during this span of time. The treatment routine is essential in cases of cancer. However, the pandemic had resulted in treatments being put on hold in most hospitals. Even scheduled operations, and sessions of chemotherapy, radiation, etc. were put on hiatus.

At such a time, cancer patients found hope in the form of Ayurvedic Cancer Hospitals. After a certain period of time had elapsed, authorities allowed the health sector to resume operations whilst following prescribed protocols. Many patients sought the help of Ayurvedic Cancer hospitals to resume their treatment in the hope for a cure.

The Ayurvedic Cancer hospitals started functioning to ensure that the cancer patients could be provided with their necessary medications. The task, though, was not an easy one. Public transport had not been resumed. The commuting options for doctors and essential staff were nearly non-existent. It was a challenge to reach the hospital every day. The doctors, and the personnel, had no choice though. Ayurvedic medicines need to be customised according to the reports of the patient.

Civilians were not allowed out of their houses. Patients had to be consulted over the phone, or through video calls, so that the doctors could resolve their queries. Even the courier services were not available. As such, the internal staff of the Ayurvedic Cancer hospitals had to take it upon themselves to ensure the medications reached the doorstep of the patient.

As a part of Ayurvedic Cancer Hospital, we had to overcome several challenges to provide treatment to cancer patients. The patients and their caretakers were grateful to be provided treatment opportunities even during the pandemic. Our staff, as well as our patients, were brave and fortuitous in living through such a tough period.

I would like to end this with the hope, and request, that everyone stays well, and takes care of themselves and their loved ones.

STAY SAFE. STAY HEALTHY.