Mumbai: Jobless youth turn to Covid-19 centres for work

Pratik Shinde in a PPE kit

Several people in their 20s have been taking the biggest risk of their lives after the pandemic snatched their jobs. They have joined Covid-19 centres across the city to make ends meet. The money not just helps their families, it also ensures that the youngsters remain committed to their personal causes. One of the youngsters mid-day spoke to is desperately trying to keep his dance group afloat, while another is making sure his 70-plus stray dogs don't go hungry. mid-day spoke to a number of them and the common refrain was, "Majboori hai."

A youngster takes the blood pressure of a Covid-19 patient

At Covid-19 centres, these youths help doctors and give the prescribed treatments to patients. mid-day found that about 90 per cent of the staff at these centres are students and jobless people between 20 and 30 years.

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The civic body has opened jumbo Covid-19 facilities at BKC, Dahisar, Nesco (Goregaon) and Mulund where several helping hands are required other than trained medical workers. Officials said the youngsters have been taught to measure blood pressure and oxygen levels and they give food to patients. While barely anyone from this new force had earlier worked in the medical industry, their standard response was: "Job nahi mila isiliye majboori mein karna pada [there are no jobs, we are doing this out of desperation]."

With Cyclone Tauktae forcing the BMC to halt work at a few Covid-19 centres, these youngsters have been given a break. They said they are eagerly waiting to get back to work.

Pratik Pradip Shinde, 25 resident of Charkop, Works at Dahisar Covid-19 centre

Pratik said he formed a dance group named ‘Area-67', inspired by the pin code of his locality, five years ago. He has a team of 7, but was finding it increasingly difficult to sustain the group without a job for a year.

First row, l to R: Anil Gupta, Pratik Shinde, Jayesh Sonasaria and Kalpesh Kambli work at the Dahisar centre

The BMC graduate then joined the Dahisar Jumbo centre as a doctor's assistant. "I had never worked in a hospital setting. On Day 1, a shiver went down my spine on seeing so many Covid-19 patients. But I took a risk and restarted the dance group activity. I work on a 10-hour shift and earn R16,500 a month," he said.

The 25-year-old said apart from measuring the vitals of patients, they also have to record the data and send it to doctors. "We are also required to give information to family members about patients' health conditions. We spend the entire time inside the Covid-19 centre."

Kalpesh Kamlakar Kambli, 27, Mira Road, Works at Dahisar centre

Before the virus forced him to shut his Surekha Screen Printing unit at Kashimira, Kalpesh Kambli was an employer for 4 people. "We used to print images, cartoons and many more things on T-shirts for children. My unit operated from a rented place and I had to take care of my workers' salary. Somehow I paid all the dues and the workers went to their hometowns."

Kambli said he kept trying for a job for months without success. "One day I received a WhatsApp message about jobs at Covid-19 centres. I didn't even think twice. I was hired as a doctor's assistant. It's too risky but cant' help it."

Rupesh Prakash Pawar, 31, Virar, Works at Dahisar centre

Rupesh used to look after accounting of housing societies

Rupesh Pawar used to look after accounting for housing societies, but lost the job after the pandemic struck. "After sitting at home for over a year, my friends suggested that I take up a job at a Covid-19 centre. I was scared initially but no longer now. The work is gruelling. We have to manage without food and water for about 8-9 hours. We are also not allowed to go outside the facility. After reaching home, I take a hot water bath and I always drink warm water as a precaution," said Pawar who joined the centre two months ago.

Anil Umashankar Gupta, 21, Borivli, Works at Dahisar Jumbo centre

The BCom second-year student has been working at the Covid-19 centre for the past two months. "Earlier, I used to work as a cashier at a hotel. I got this job after a year. Now, I have also started working for a cable company that provides internet. I give net connections during the day and come to the Covid-19 centre at night. After my first day, I dreamt of Covid-19 patients approaching me for help. It was a bit scary. We come across many critical patients. This is my first job in a hospital and I'm doing this just to earn money."

Jayesh Devendra Sonasaria, 25, Virar, Works at Goregaon Nesco centre

Jayesh, a BCom student, was into event management and he would spend the entire money on feeding street dogs in Virar West, where he lives. "After the lockdown last year, I became jobless. All my savings got over in helping the poor and my dogs. When my bank balance became NIL two months ago, I decided to join the Covid-19 centre," he said.

The animal lover added, "I have the responsibilities of 70 dogs and I can't keep them hungry. I took up this job to give them food. Also, nobody gives any donation nowadays. I don't need money for myself but for my dogs."

Satyawan Sawant, 30, Nalasopara, Works at Dahisar centre

The HSC passout worked as an office assistant at a private firm in Andheri until the Coronavirus snapped his source of earning.

Satyawan Sawant worked as an office assistant at an Andheri firm before the virus snapped his source of income

Satayawan said, "I had no income for a year. I sent my parents to my village for financial reasons. I had no choice when a friend referred me to work at the Covid-19 centre. I am happy that I have started earning again. It's too risky, but life must go on."

Seven
No. of members in Area-67, the dance group that Pratik Shinde is trying to keep afloat