A day within the lifetime of a WHO public well being skilled in Meghalaya, India

8:00 a.m.: The beginning of a not-so-perfect morning

I get up, already working a bit behind. I toss final evening’s leftovers right into a lunchbox whereas pondering, Will this meet my diet for the day? Possibly tomorrow I’ll pack one thing higher. Morning routine kicks in: bathe, brush, poop, pack bag, seize tea. No time to sit down and sip, I carry it with me.

8:45 a.m.: Wheels on the bottom

I hop into my WHO-assigned car and greet my driver with a cheerful, “Good morning, dada!” He smiles again. I’ve realized over time a contented driver makes for a smoother day on the sphere.

In the present day’s activity is important and now we have a protracted day forward. We’re heading to a distant village to research a case of sudden-onset paralysis, probably acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). It means digging into the kid’s well being historical past, checking the surroundings, and ensuring it will get reported to the surveillance system at once.

9:10 a.m.: Calls start rolling in

As we drive, the cellphone buzzes. The District Immunization Officer needs to finalize the assessment assembly schedule. Some amenities nonetheless haven’t submitted their routine immunization microplans. I inform him, “We’ll have to attend till they’re completed.”

Simply as I finish that decision, my exterior displays ring in to replace me on upcoming ASHA conferences throughout completely different blocks. We’ve got a brief, productive chat. I take some notes and eventually set the cellphone apart.

9:45 a.m.: A second of silence

I look exterior. The fantastic thing about Meghalaya by no means will get previous—the misty hills, deep inexperienced valleys, and quiet roads winding by forests. Coming from a metropolis, this panorama looks like one other world. In these moments, I really feel grateful. The mountains make me really feel small in the easiest way attainable. There’s a quiet sense of function that settles in. Possibly I used to be meant to serve right here.

10:15 a.m.: A seatbelt lesson

We’re flagged down at a police checkpoint. “Why isn’t your driver sporting a seatbelt?” the officer asks. No excuse—it’s our fault. Hilly roads or not, security guidelines nonetheless apply. We get a gentle scolding and keep on.

11:00 a.m.: The final stretch

Sign’s fading quick as we close to the village. I strive calling the ANMs however no luck. We pull over and I ask for instructions in a jumbled mixture of Hindi, Khasi, and English. The villagers are type and attempt to assist, although language makes it a bit difficult.

Following their directions, we spot a small tea store the place two girls are ready—one in a blue uniform. That have to be the ASHA (Accredited Social Well being Activist) and ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife). We park, trade greetings, and so they graciously provide me purple tea and a mushy rice cake. We sit briefly, talk about the case, and map the best way to the kid’s residence.

11:30 a.m.: On foot to the household’s home

We set out collectively strolling by slender paths, previous quiet houses, chickens clucking, villagers out within the solar. The air is clear. The trail is uneven, however we stroll with function as a result of the mission is vital.

What occurred subsequent … effectively, that’s a narrative for an additional day.

Life on the sphere

Public well being on the bottom isn’t glamorous. It’s not all knowledge sheets and dashboards. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes exhausting. However it’s actual. It’s human. It’s filled with damaged cellphone alerts, chai breaks, small discuss in blended languages, and the unpredictable tempo of village life. However someplace between the checklists and the chaos, you discover one thing deeper—function, connection, and a reminder that change begins with exhibiting up.

Poulami Mazumder is a World Well being Group advisor.