On Tuesday, as the world paid grateful tribute to nurses, thousands of medical personnel from Nepal were on duty across the world caring for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although there have been no recorded fatalities in Nepal, across the world 78 Nepalis had died from the coronavirus as of 11 May. Most of them were in the UK (50) and the United States (15). There are reports some among the 5,472 testing positive are nurses and care-givers in those countries.
“It has been very difficult for me to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on COVID patients, knowing their survival rate is low,” says Jenny Lamichhane, a New York based Nepali doctor. “I stay with them in their rooms, praying for them. People should not die alone, but visitors are not allowed in hospitals or nursing homes and most die alone.”
Even prior to COVID, as a geriatrician, Lamichhane has seen relatively more deaths and helped families cope with their loss. She adds: “But COVID has shaken all our training, expertise and experience.”
There are said to be 1.5 million immigrants employed in the US health care system as doctors, registered nurses and pharmacists. Another 263,000 immigrants with health-related degrees are working in non-health, lower paying jobs in hospitals.
There is a shortfall of 43,000 medical staff in US hospitals which have also reported a lack of personal protection which often have to be rationed or reused, putting the medical professionals and their patients at risk.
“We have had to reuse soiled N95 for weeks, and see both COVID and non-COVID patients wearing the same gear. When new masks and gowns arrive there is brief celebration, and they are distributed like presents. But things have gradually improved,” another New York-based Nepali physician who preferred not to be named said.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 9,000 healthcare workers have contracted the virus in the United States, with 27 deaths, as of April 15th.
“It is both emotionally and physically taxing. I am not used to dealing with so many deaths,” says the Nepali doctor in New York. “I have not seen my husband for weeks due to fear of transmission, and going home alone after the emotional and physical turmoil has been difficult. But it is rewarding to see patients go home after fighting overwhelming odds.”
Migrants who want to remain, Upasana Khadka
Fortunately, the situation in New York is improving with a significant reduction in the number of COVID-19 patients. Daily deaths have also gone down. However, there are warnings of a second wave.
Lamichhane was at a nursing home in New York for a month as coronavirus cases peaked, and says that compared to hospitals, nursing homes are much less-equipped with masks and gloves.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in Malaysia, Nepalis are working overtime in factories making latex gloves to meet the surge in global demand. Malaysia produces 65% of the world production of rubber glove industry, and is expected to export 225 billion units this year.
In October 2019, glove exports by Malaysia-based WRP Asia-Pacific had been banned by the US Customs and Border Protection for using forced labour at its plants in Malaysia. But in March, as the global pandemic hit the ban was lifted.
Over three quarters of the close to 382,000 Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia are employed in manufacturing, including of medical supplies.
Nepali workers in Malaysia fear COVID-19 crackdown, Upasana Khadka
“First we stayed home for over a month because of the US ban, then we worked part-time, and now we are pulling 12-hour shifts,” says Krishna, who works at WRP Asia-Pacific in Kuala Lumpur. “My ageing parents are concerned about the disease, and are pressuring me to come home. I tell them I am safe, my hours are good and the money is for our future so I try to remain optimistic.”
While workers like Krishna are indoors in factories making life-saving healthcare equipment, other Nepali migrants outside are subjected to large-scale unannounced raids and discrimination.
Post-pandemic mental health epidemic, Sonia Awale
Nepalis are frontline workers in the stressed healthcare system in New York and in glove factories in Malaysia, proving the vital role migrants play regardless of their legal status or profession. The expectation that the visibility of migrants’ contributions during this crisis will lead to lasting shifts in migration governance is, however, questionable.
Public memory is short-lived but even in the midst of the pandemic, while foreign doctors like Lamichhane are saving lives inside New York hospitals, the Trump administration has temporarily banned immigrants from seeking permanent residency while working on plans to halt work-related visas as well.
Says Jenny Lamichhane in New York: “I used to cry every day in the beginning, due to stress of being exposed and bringing it home to my 21-month daughter. But when families started to thank me for taking care of their loved ones, it made me realise that my impact goes beyond my patients. Giving them emotional and moral support gives me strength, and makes me feel a little better.”
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