Humans of Safe Care, Saving Lives

This is the seventh in a series of profiles of the dedicated individuals behind the Safe Care, Saving Lives project. Safe Care, Saving Lives is a quality improvement project to improve neonatal care in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 

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Mary,
Head Nurse, Maternity Unit,
Government District Hospital,
Khammam, Telangana

“Life started for me in a small town in Andhra Pradesh. My father was a police inspector and my mother, a teacher. I always wanted to become a doctor, but when I could not make that happen, I decided to become a nurse, against my parents’ wishes. My teachers made me realize the importance of nursing as a profession. Nursing is a skill that is supplemented with professional and ethical values. As with everyone else, I, too, have faced personal and professional challenges, things that have made me what I am today. I have always tried to achieve more than what my job responsibilities were. If you like what you do, then no matter how difficult the situation, you always give your all.  

I promised a friend that I will continue my education and attain a degree or diploma every ten years. I have a master’s of science in psychology, a philosophy master’s in psychology and mental health, and a postgraduate diploma in nutrition.

The government of Andhra Pradesh selected to train in Sweden for a midwifery strengthening project. I worked for three months on the project in a remote location in Telangana as part of this project. I came to understand the psychology of mothers during delivery. I believe that all labor rooms are as sacred as a temples. I believe that the core values of the nursing profession are a good interaction with each and every patient and care with personal touch. I will always strive to keep these values wherever I work.”