As part of Yoga for Bhopal Week 2020, the resident yoga therapist at the Sambhavna clinic, Dr. Shweta Chaturvedi, has been kind enough to send us a report on her work with patients at the clinic. With the help of new safety measures, she has been able to continue this important treatment for survivors and other patients during the past few months, despite the disruption caused by Covid-19. Here is what she has to say about her experience at Sambhavna:
My name is Dr. Shweta Chaturvedi, I have been working as the resident Yoga Therapist at the Sambhavna Trust Clinic for the last five years. During the past three months of the coronavirus epidemic, I have taught yoga to about five hundred patients and helped them in finding relief from their health issues. These people were mainly suffering from a range of conditions including breathing difficulties, diabetes, hypertension, backache, joint pain, insomnia, and complications from obesity. On average I am teach yoga to 15-20 patients every day at the Samhavna clinic.
To ensure the safety of patients, we have made the following changes to our working procedure:
- In order to follow social distancing rules, I am now teaching yoga to patients in one-to-one sessions only and have stopped teaching yoga in a group. Only one patient is allowed in the Yoga room at any one time.
- Each yoga mattress is used by only one patient each day and is not used again until thoroughly cleaned.
- Patients are being given more time and are taught specific asana (exercises) related to their specific health issues. They are given repeat exercises to practice at home, allowing them to visit the clinic less frequently.
- Hand washing facilities are provided at the entrance and exit of the clinic. This allows patients to wash their hands before entering the clinic. Patients are also advised to wear masks or other appropriate face coverings while on the premises.
A big thank you thank you to Dr. Chaturvedi for the good work she continues to do over this difficult period, as well as all the other staff and volunteers working tirelessly to keep the clinic open. Thank you also to Tabish Ali for the wonderful pictures.
