‘Don’t let our sacrifices be a waste of our efforts’

MY housemanship ends this month and I was supposed to go on annual leave for about a month before I continue serving as a medical officer.

However, in view of the rising cases of Covid-19, my colleagues and I have to cut short our leave and continue working.

As a doctor, this is our call and duty, especially when the people need us the most.

I have reduced the number of times I go home, and even did not return home when I was placed in Hospital Permai to treat Covid-19 patients as I did not want to risk transmitting the virus to my parents.

Of course my parents are worried, but I have explained to them that this is a very crucial moment where the people need us healthcare providers the most.

I am glad that all of us in the hospital work as a team, from doctors to nurses, medical assistants, health care assistants and right down to drivers, cleaners and others.

The most heartbreaking thing was seeing my friends and colleagues being infected with Covid-19 and falling sick in the line of duty. Some were even admitted to the intensive care unit. You will never know when it would be your turn.

The only way to reduce the risk is to adhere to the standard operating procedures strictly and have adequate personal protective equipment when treating Covid-19 patients.

My greatest fear is that there may come a time, when resources are scarce and the situation is beyond our control, we have to decide who gets to live and who doesn’t. I hope everyone will be disciplined and adhere to the SOP.

They must practise distancing, wash their hands, not have any mass gathering, and go out only when necessary. No more gatherings, no more parties, no more social events.

Control your own movement and be disciplined. Only when we work together can we bring the numbers down and break the chain.

Frontliners have been working round the clock for more than a year, risking their lives, keeping their distance from their families, to treat patients.