FMT in partnership with The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) brings you Covid-19 “healers” from India.“Doctors on Call” is a team of young doctors providing medical advice to those who can’t get to medical services due to lockdown. Dr. Atif Nasim and Dr. Aman Irshad provide phone consultations, Dr. Azhan Siddiqui delivers advice through WhatsApp, and Abdul Hannan promotes the initiative over social media.
The group initially served a limited number of patients, but after an overwhelming response, they opened it up to the wider public, sharing details of the team on WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
“You have to be patient when talking to patients. You should not look at the time, as they may be in a severe emergency,” says Dr. Abdul Allam Khan.
Many patients share photos of their condition with the doctors over WhatsApp; sometimes, the team consults individual cases with their mentors before prescribing any medication.
Collectively, they are now known as “Team of Super As”. They are thankful for the opportunity to support society by providing this round-the-clock advice.
Javed Sultan is a self-taught photographer focusing on social issues. Currently based in New Delhi, He is a freelance photojournalist for Anadolu Agency and has published his work in Indian and international publications including LensCulture, The Economist, TIME, Guardian, VICE, Telegraph, Forbes, and Getty. Javed’s work has been featured in various photography exhibitions in India and abroad, which include a photojournalistic exhibition in Canosa di Puglia, Italy, organised by the Foundation of The South and Pro Loco UNPLI. He was nominated for Joop Swart Masterclass in 2018 by World Press Photo. He was also one of the finalists for the 7th HIPA Photography Award in the portfolio category as well as shortlisted for the inaugural The Hindu Photojournalism Award in India. View his portfolio here.
‘The Other Hundred Healers’ is an initiative by the non-profit organisation GIFT. The 240-page, full-colour, hardcover book can be purchased here at US$40 per copy for a minimum order of 20 copies.
