Dr. M. Emmanuel Bhaskar is a seasoned physician-educator with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he supervised the care of around 20,000 patients, adapting his expertise to support individuals at home. A specialist in Internal Medicine and a researcher, this series marks his debut in storytelling, drawing from his unique experiences to narrate the hardships and resilience of those affected by the pandemic.
The Literature Times: COVID Stories from India: Mother’s Love is a deeply emotional tale. What inspired you to write about the strength and resilience of motherhood during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Emmanuel Bhaskar: I wanted to share the deeply moving and almost heart-wrenching experience of a mother carrying a precious child she values more than her own life. The story captures how a single decision of hers could set her at odds with her loved ones, but for the support of his better-half.
The Literature Times: Can you share the process behind creating the character of Aruna and her journey through such a challenging experience?
Emmanuel Bhaskar: The character of Aruna was inspired by a real-life experience during the early days of the COVID pandemic. At that time, there was significant uncertainty about the best treatment protocols for the illness, and the potential effects of COVID-19 on pregnant mothers and their unborn children were largely speculative. The challenges Aruna faces in the story highlight how the conflicting opinions of well-meaning doctors, each striving to provide the best possible care, inadvertently caused significant mental strain for patients.
The Literature Times: The story revolves around a mother facing an impossible dilemma. How did you balance the medical and emotional aspects of the narrative to reflect the true complexity of her situation?
Emmanuel Bhaskar: Narrating the medical aspects was relatively straightforward for me, as they closely mirror how medical professionals approached the treatment of COVID patients during that time. The real challenge lay in portraying Aruna’s emotional experience. To ensure it felt authentic, I devoted considerable time and effort to thoughtful reflection and discussions, striving to capture the depth of her emotional journey.
The Literature Times: How did your background as a physician influence the way you wrote about Aruna’s medical journey, especially during the pandemic?
Emmanuel Bhaskar: While I’m not entirely certain how much my background influenced the narrative, I did my best to portray Aruna’s medical journey through her thoughts and emotions. It was challenging to step into a patient’s perspective—to understand how they feel about their illness, process the treatments provided, and respond to medical advice. This aspect of the writing required significant effort and went through numerous revisions before arriving at the version you read today.
The Literature Times: What do you hope readers take away from Aruna’s unwavering determination and the bond she shares with her husband Hari?
Emmanuel Bhaskar: The story wasn’t written with the intention of delivering a specific message. My aim is for readers to immerse themselves in Aruna’s experience—to imagine what it would be like to stand in her shoes and to feel the strength of Hari’s support as he balances his relationship with his parents. Aruna’s determination feels natural, but her ability to persist through such challenges might not have been possible without Hari’s unconditional support.
The Literature Times: In the story, Aruna faces societal judgment and isolation. How important is it to address these emotional and social challenges in the context of healthcare and pandemic narratives?
Emmanuel Bhaskar: In our country, societal judgment is deeply intertwined with medical decisions. This story offers a glimpse into how the fear of societal judgment can rob a person of the peace of mind they need during illness. A more significant impact of this can be seen daily in hospitals, especially when elderly patients in their 80s are admitted to intensive care units. Families often opt for costly treatments involving ventilators and dialysis, sometimes overlooking the toll it takes on the elderly, who might prefer a peaceful last day at home. These decisions are sometimes influenced more by the desire to avoid negative gossip within their social circles than by the well-being of the patient. Addressing these emotional and social challenges is crucial to understanding the broader complexities of healthcare.
The Literature Times: As someone who has supervised the care of thousands of COVID-19 patients, how did the pandemic shape your understanding of personal and family dynamics in healthcare?
Emmanuel Bhaskar: The period from March 2020 to July 2022 was a life-changing experience for me. Before that, I primarily worked as a hospitalist, focusing on very sick patients requiring complex medical care. However, my involvement in both home care and hospital care for COVID-19 patients gave me deep insight into the social challenges faced by my patients. Visiting their homes, I witnessed firsthand the poverty, personal struggles, and family burdens endured by both patients and their caregivers. Now, when I see a patient in the hospital, I no longer view them solely as someone with a medical illness. I see a person who might have struggled to reach my consultation room, who might find it hard to afford my fees, or who might face difficult family decisions due to the diagnosis I am about to deliver. This understanding has profoundly reshaped my approach to patient care.
