On The Frontline
Nurse Pratika Singh exemplifies commitment to curb spread of deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) She’s been away from home for almost three weeks, living in isolation at the Nadi Hospital
Staying isolated to protect her family is a commitment that nurse Pratika Singh has signed up for.
The isolation unit at the Nadi Hospital has been the home for this COVID-19 frontline staff nurse.
She has been working long hours to ensure that there are zero deaths for patients affected with the virus.
Ms Singh, 33, who lives and cares for her parents in Wailoaloa, Nadi, has not been at home for almost three weeks, but provides patient care for three COVID-19 patients in Nadi. There is one patient at the Lautoka Hospital and one at the Navua Hospital. Ms Singh stays at the hospital and believes
that is where she needs to be if she is to protect her loved ones.
“For now, that is the best option for my family, community and nation. As a nurse I understand, it’s best for me to stay in hospital and quarantine myself because I pose a risk if I go home daily,” Ms Singh said. “I deal with patients who are confirmed cases of COVID-19. It was quite challenging at first.
“We face challenges in all aspects of life but being a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic has so far been the hardest.”
Ms Singh has never regretted taking up nursing. She has had the full support of her family, even when she was assigned to be in the isolation unit.
She said she was proud to be in the team, led by Dr Me- sulame Namedre.
She said the sacrifices being made by the health workers are to ensure that the general public stay safe and do not fall victim to the killer disease.
“Healthcare and border control frontline staff are working tirelessly to contain the spread of this disease. Please help us maintain it and it can be done if you all stay home and avoid unnecessary travelling,” Ms Singh has pleaded to the general public.
“Please be responsible. We are still getting news on how people are still not listening to the directives given by the Government.
“Their misconduct will make work harder for us on the frontline. This means we will be away from our families even longer.”
So far there are only five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country and all efforts are now channelled towards containing this number.
The confinement and curfew are part and parcel of the bid to control the spread of COVID-19. For this to work, the public needs to play their part by listening and following directives by the Government and health authorities.