BY DR OSCAR REBELO 


It was like a dagger straight to the heart when we as a close knit medicine community in Goa , learnt the heart wrenching news that one of our own Dr Rachita Gupta Velho was brought in a cardiac arrest to GMC.

Despite some simply heroic work by the doctors on duty, who resuscitated her, a fatal diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was made and inspite of all the state of the art treatment made available to her she eventually succumbed on the 10th of July, in the early hours of the morning.

My wife and I knew Rachita well in our college days, she was my resident and then a compatriot as a lecturer in Medicine. 

By all accounts, she was smart, she was dedicated to her work, she always had that infectious laugh, and was full of beans.

She was a tough task master - hauling juniors over coals for jobs not well done.

At the very core a classic doctor. 

Dedicated, Empathetic and an honest, tireless beaver at work.

And as all the totally spectacular, unsung , uncelebrated doctors in the Government sector she shone brightest during this pandemic of our lifetimes.

She could have quit the game , easily, but like a true soldier she battled on, shuttling between Margao and Panjim and the super speciality block

With dedication 

With compassion 

With passion 

With a missionary zeal.

Like Rachita, there are these hundreds of doctors, in the Govt sector who have ceaselessly been saving lives 

And crushed emotionally and mentally as they have lost patients on their watch.

My department colleagues tell me that Rachita did not flinch.

Not once from the responsibility and honour of her duty.

I cannot even begin to fathom the emotions wrecking her parents Mr and Mrs Gupta presently.

Nothing can ever make sense or bring closure to a parent who loses a child in the prime of her life.

One's heart simply goes out to them.

Her husband Verner, who loses his school sweetheart , this must be a moment of intense anguish.

But most of all , as my colleague Savita Pinto puts it , one cannot but help feeling crushed when one looks at "the three jewels in her crown" 

Her three super bright kids Avantika, Shamika and Vishwaraj.

Rachita lived for these three jewels of hers.

They were simply her pride and joy, the very essence of her being.

If it can be any consolation to them, though nothing can ever be, your mom was a rockstar at her work kids.

She is a memory now but my God, what a powerful memory she will remain for all the lives she touched.

The covid pandemic has taken a severe toll on the mental and physical health of the entire medical community.

We are at breaking point If not irretrievably broken already.

We frankly do not know how much strength we have to go any further.

So forget the rose petals and speeches, bouquets and faux applause. 

We urge you to never forget the memory of the Rachitas of the medical profession.

All those minds and hearts and hands and sweat that work for you with thankless dedication.

Because like Rachita , they believe that the job must be done

A life must be saved. 

A mistake can't be made 

And despite great personal cost the battle must be waged.

Down to the last post.

Goodbye Rachita.

Thank you for the laughter.

Thank you for the camaraderie.

Thank you for the little acts of kindness.

Thank you for your legendary temper. 

Thank you for your inspiring work ethic.

And most importantly 

Thank you for being unapologetically You.