West Bengal has more than 80,000 cases of the coronavirus. (Representative)
Malda, West Bengal:
An IPS officer stationed in Malda district, West Bengal, is using his medical expertise to help his colleagues in the force lead the battle against COVID-19.
HM Rehman, Additional Police Superintendent (Headquarters) of Malda District, did his MBBS and doctor before cracking the Union Civil Service Commission (UPSC) exam.
Mr Rehman told PTI on Tuesday that he started monitoring the health problems of the district police officers after being pushed by Superintendent of Police (SP) Alok Rajoria, who motivated him to use his medical expertise.
A community medicine doctor, Mr Rehman said he uses his skills to guide police personnel vulnerable to contagion as they carry out their duties in the field.
He said that of the 250 police officers infected with COVID-19 in the district of Malda, 201 are now free from the disease; 156 have joined their functions. “For the older staff in the ward, we made sure they weren’t pushed into the front line at this point. And for those affected by the virus, my job is to keep morale high. I ask them to follow all precautions as we regularly talk to us on the phone and be positive, ”Mr. Rehman said.
The senior police officer, who asked all force members to follow basic security protocols while on duty, said he was available on the phone to his junior colleagues 24×7.
Mr. Rehman became ASP (headquarters) in February of this year. “I am a police officer and also a doctor. I have to shoulder my dual responsibility of leading the battle for Covid by raising awareness about the deadly virus and telling them to be careful in beating the contagion,” he said.
