PANAJI: “As a child I wanted to join the defence forces and serve the nation, but was unable to do so. But after serving at the COVID-19 isolation ward I think, I have achieved the milestone of serving the State as well as the nation,” Goa Medical College staff nurse Manjula Kollari told GT. Manjula was posted in the COVID-19 isolation ward at GMC, Bambolim for 26 days during the most crucial time when all seven COVID-19 positive patients were present. “The only thing in my mind was that I have taken the oath of serving the people so I have to perform my task. I was a bit startled when the first case was reported but I knew there was no looking back,” she said. Every morning the first thing I did was checking the notice board to check the number of cases; a more the number the more pressure was built, Manjula added. Besides physical condition, the patients in the isolation ward were dealing with mental stigma. “Patients used to ask me questions like ‘am going to die?’, ‘who will look after my kids and wife if I die?’. Such questions surely gave me chills but I never expressed anything, instead gave them motivation and willingness so that they keep strong mentally.” “Our role is not just to give medicine but also give them the mental strength which will keep them happy and eventually improve their immunity,” Kollari added. Working in the isolation ward for eight hours, donning the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), face shield and foot mask was not an easy task at all. Recalling her experience of the same Kollari said, “Working with the PPEs on is not at all easy. With no air condition in the isolation ward ventilation became difficult for us. We had to be mentally prepared that once we wear it we can only remove it when our shift ends.” Breathing a sigh of relief that Goa is now labelled as ‘Green Zone’ Kollari said that she is happy to have served the community with love in such a critical condition and wishes to continue to do the same in future.