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Going to take some time off every (other) day to highlight the contributions of Indian women in science (& policy & politics & journalism) in this #covid19 pandemic.
DM us suggestions if you have any.
DM us suggestions if you have any.
Lets start off with K.K. Shailaja ( @shailajateacher ), Kerala's Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The former high school teacher is credited with the rigorous and level-headed way the state dealt with a Nipah virus & now #covid19.
[pic credit: Official Twitter page]
![Lets start off with K.K. Shailaja ( @shailajateacher ), Kerala's Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The former high school teacher is credited with the rigorous and level-headed way the state dealt with a Nipah virus & now #covid19. [pic credit: Official Twitter page]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EULXNh8U0AUjCbF.jpg "Lets start off with K.K. Shailaja ( @shailajateacher ), Kerala's Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The former high school teacher is credited with the rigorous and level-headed way the state dealt with a Nipah virus & now #covid19. [pic credit: Official Twitter page]")
[pic credit: Official Twitter page]
In this Op-Ed, she brings out some of the stark social realities that the pandemic is putting us face-to-face with & also sets an example in transparency. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/how-to-handle-a-pandemic/article31136612.ece
Next up, virologist Minal Dakhave ( @Minal_Dakhave ) who developed PathoDetect, the 1st Indian #covid19 testing kit to get commercial approval from the govt. It hit markets last week, diagnoses >twice as fast, at a quarter of the cost of imported kits. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52064427
Minal began her career as lab technician at National Institute of Virology where she worked on flu viruses for many years. Today she heads R&D at MyLab Discovery Solutions in Pune where she has led the development of 50+ diagnostic kits for the Indian market.
(Source: LinkedIn)
(Source: LinkedIn)
A lot has been said about Minal's exceptional dedication after it was reported that she delivered a baby just hours after delivering the testing kit. While this is truly amazing, we must also be cautious while glorifying it (contd.)
By disproportionately highlighting these aspects of a woman's success story, we often end up perpetuating the superwoman trope, by implying that all women can and should show this level of commitment even in such critical times. These are unreal expectations! (contd.)
A woman shouldn't have to work until the hour before she goes into labour for her professional accomplishments to be recognized.
That Minal did was exceptional and heroic. Nevertheless, let's choose to celebrate her for designing & developing a #covid19 test in just 6 weeks!
That Minal did was exceptional and heroic. Nevertheless, let's choose to celebrate her for designing & developing a #covid19 test in just 6 weeks!
There are a number of such heroic stories of women who stretch themselves to dangerous limits. We usually hear of those that work out well. But there are many many more stories where things didnt go so smoothly. These stories may never be told, but they are heroes too.
And so are those who decide to prioritise their safety and mental health when the situation demands.
#3 Some of the most consistent, sound and reassuring #Covid19 outreach from India has been coming from clinician-scientist Gagandeep Kang ( @GKangInd ).
Pic credit: @InfosysPrize
Pic credit: @InfosysPrize
Gagandeep is the currently the Director of @THSTIFaridabad where scientists are busy with translational work on #covid19 that could end up being our best bet against this pandemic. Hopefully, we will be able to give you a glimpse into this in the coming days.
Get a sample of how clear and effective engagement with the public can be with this @ExpressPodcasts episode. Governance during #covid19 needs to include a LOT more of this. https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/getting-a-coronavirus-reality-check-with-dr-gagandeep-kang/6304297/
Swinging back to the south with Asha Kishore, neurologist & Director of @sctimst_tvm medical research center in Trivandrum, Kerala. Under her leadership, SCTIMST has tied up with @3d_wipro to manufacture automated ventilators for the #covid19 crisis.
Pic credit: sctimst/Youtube
Pic credit: sctimst/Youtube
These light & portable ventilators will help critical patients who have no access to ICUs. "The tech was developed in a week...We intend to quickly move into clinical trials & then manufacturing," she said. More here in this piece by @sonalkhetarpal7 https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/coronavirus-outbreak-trivandrum-based-institute-develops-easy-to-use-home-ventilators/story/400063.html
Asha Kishore is SCTIMST's first woman Director. She has been instrumental in improving India's clinical care system, esp of Parkinson's Disease patients. Fascinating piece by @Oshindaniell abt her recent collaboration with @IndiaBARC in neuroprosthetics. https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2019/12/17/heads-we-win.html
It would seem that the value of gritty, scientific health journalism is finally being realised. But that doesnt mean the going is any easier. Do follow science journo @PriyankaPulla 's analyses and reportage during #covid19 if you aren't already.
[Pic source: Youtube screengrab]
![It would seem that the value of gritty, scientific health journalism is finally being realised. But that doesnt mean the going is any easier. Do follow science journo @PriyankaPulla 's analyses and reportage during #covid19 if you aren't already.[Pic source: Youtube screengrab]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EU6yTAMUEAE4v-u.jpg "It would seem that the value of gritty, scientific health journalism is finally being realised. But that doesnt mean the going is any easier. Do follow science journo @PriyankaPulla 's analyses and reportage during #covid19 if you aren't already.[Pic source: Youtube screengrab]")
[Pic source: Youtube screengrab]
Her latest piece on @TheWireScience examines hydroxychloroquine, an unproven drug that has been recommended by @ICMRDELHI as prophylactic against #covid19. This is following the sudden&mysterious death of a doctor in Guwahati who reportedly took the drug. https://science.thewire.in/health/coronavirus-covid-19-hydroxychloroquine-icmr-guidelines-long-qt-syndrome/
Few weeks back @IndSciComm began a thread of Indian womxn journalists covering #covid19 https://twitter.com/IndSciComm/status/1242291183184904193
On #WorldHealthDay 
& there is no better time to thank some of the most vital committed and undervalued players during public health crises such as #covid19 - Nurses.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked them yesterday: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061232
& there is no better time to thank some of the most vital committed and undervalued players during public health crises such as #covid19 - Nurses. UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked them yesterday: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061232
It is rare for the spotlight to shine on a nurse. It did, on Lini Puthussery in 2018, but only when the 28 y.o. died after contracting the deadly Nipah virus from a family that she was treating. #Covid19 too is taking a heavy toll on healthcare workers. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-44207740
“The only time the general public is aware of a nurse’s name is if something happens or they get an award. Like Sister Lini,” says Mridula S. Sree, a nurse in Alleppey, who cared for India's second #covid19 case in February. https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/india-news-meet-the-corona-warriors-mridula-s-sree-the-rookie-nurse-who-treated-a-wuhan-returned-patient-in-an-isolation-ward/302987
In this piece, @mitalinikore refers to nurses as 'the true foot soldiers in this war against COVID-19' and looks at India’s impending nurse shortage due to the pandemic. It's not looking great but we can strategise... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/irrational-economics/five-strategies-to-combat-indias-impending-nurse-shortage-due-to-covid-19/
We heard about the oldest couple to have contracted #covid19. They recovered, but by then their nurse Reshma Mohandas got infected. Yet her commitment hasnt wavered. "If we start worrying about ourselves, who will console and look after our patients?" https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/once-we-don-ppe-we-worry-only-about-our-patients-kerala-nurses-fighting-covid-19/story-u8f3KkwmJnCVeet6XrhHdM.html
Uma Mahadevan ( @readingkafka ) is a senior IAS officer currently Principal Secretary(Panchayat Raj). On the road coordinating #covid19 relief measures in Karnataka, she still finds time to update & engage with concerned public & journalists.
Pic source: http://MysooruNews.com
Pic source: http://MysooruNews.com
Gram Panchayats are of critical importance, as the #covid19 pandemic spreads & as the masses grapple with the effects of lockdown in India. Officers like Uma have a big role to play here. @THP_Ind https://twitter.com/THP_Ind/status/1245687507171196928
"It is time for panchayats to exercise their agency. For this, thrust is needed from top layer of administration — a direction that will help the nation fight this deadly virus," says this opinion piece by Sonu Bal I.V. of @PRADAN_India https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-key-arsenal-in-rural-indias-pandemic-fight/article31293099.ece
Yesterday, @ICMRDELHI announced that NIV is one of 5 research centers who will validate rapid diagnostics for #covid19. Thanks @SarahHyder for alerting us to the fact that 3 of these are headed by women.
The latest in our #womxnofcovid series introduced you to one of them Priya Abraham. See thread. Stay tuned to be intro'd to the two others in the course of this series! https://twitter.com/labhopping/status/1249669664092848129
As Arunachal Pradesh's first #covid19 patient was discharged yesterday, it's a good time to remember the good work by govt medical officers involved in containing the pandemic's spread. Meet Lohit district's DMO Dr Sajinglu Chai Pul. https://twitter.com/tongamrina/status/1251187052474847233
This news report delves into the kind of meticulousness that went into dealing with the case. Dr Chai Pul coordinated a 12-member team (including docs, nurses, sanitary assistants) to take care of their first #covid19 patient. Plus counselling. https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/12-member-team-taking-care-of-first-coronavirus-patient-in-arunachal-pradesh/cid/1763497
This account of the difficult journey of Arunachal's first #covid19 patient highlights the damage stigma and misinformation can cause. “The DMO asked me not to worry about hate comments on social media and concentrate on getting well...” By @tongamrina https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2020/04/06/sorry-for-bringing-virus-home-says-covid-19ve-patient/
A feel-good pic of the brave medical team that looked after the #covid19 case beginning their own period of quarantine. Acc to reports, Dr Sajinglu Chai Pul has prepared eight teams with two doctors each. https://twitter.com/arunachaltimes_/status/1249008585285070848
Yesterday was #CivilServicesDay, a good time to remember the immense amount of responsibility on the shoulders of admin officials during the #covid19 crisis, many of them functioning under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
Let's look at a few more of them in this thread.
Let's look at a few more of them in this thread.
