KIDS MISS HEALTH HEROES MUM AND DAD

‘Our parents are looking after people so they can fight coronavirus and make Fiji a better place.’

While most parents are at home during the Easter weekend, the parents of nine-year-old Joape and eight-year-old Kalisiana are on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.

The children’s father, Dr Mesulame Namedre, is in charge of the team in Nadi, treating confirmed cases of COVID-19. Their mother, Dr Asela is seconded to Sigatoka Hospital.

“Our parents are looking after people so they can fight coronavirus and make Fiji a better place,” said their children in an Easter message.

Kalisiana, a Year Three student at St Anne’s, said she had one wish – that her parents could be home so they could spend Easter together.

“Easter is when Jesus gave his life for us,” she said as she explained what the holiday was about.

“I wish my mum and dad could be here with us so we could be together.”

Her older brother, Year Four student, Joape said they were able to communicate with their parents every day.

“We speak to mum and dad every day. But we want them to come and stay with us,” he said.

It has been over a month and the children have not been able to see their parents in person.

Sera Matai, Dr Asela’s mother said they tried their best to do what Asela and Mesulame would have wanted for their children.

“It is not the same. We can try our best, but it will not be enough. They are a close knitted family and these two miss their parents,” she said.

Although missing their parents, the two children understand the important role their folks are playing as health workers.

Dr Mesulame Namedre is in the thick of things as he deals with positive cases at the Nadi Isolation Unit and those quarantined in the Government facilities.

While most children this Easter are at home flanked by their parents, Joape and Kalisiana are making do with just phone calls because they know the sacrifices their parents are making.

“We hope everyone in Fiji washes their hands, wear masks and gloves and listens to what doctors are saying, so you can help my parents fight coronavirus,” Kalisiana and Joape said.

It is not the same. We can try our best, but it will not be enough

Photo: Kelera Sovasiga Fiji Centre for Disease Control principal medical officer, Dr Mesulame Namedre on the frontline at Nadi Hospital. Joape Namedre, 9, and his sister Kalisiana Namedre, 8, at their Nadera home wish their health worker parents (left and right) a happy Easter on April 10, 2020. Dr Asela Namedre. Anaesthetist at Colonial War Memorial Hospital, but deployed to Sigatoka hospital.