Backing up frontliners amid the pandemic

They say what’s meant for you will always be yours, either through prayer, chance, faith, or maybe you will just be diverted in some equally or related form. Back in 2004 after high school, I decided to end a childhood dream of pursuing a career in medicine, which was in demand at that time. I decided to pursue a business course instead. But fate has its own plans and I eventually found my way back to my dream field—a health-care institution—where I lead its Corporate Communications Team.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic last year, my team from the Corporate Communications Department of asian hospital and medical Center has been maintaining a very hectic schedule. In spite of the great risk, the team has been supporting our fellow workers on the frontline and educating the public about the need to raise our guards against Covid-19. Promoting safety, publishing relevant updates and information were our foremost contribution and our primary responsibility to our aching community. Rising to the need to support all our stakeholders, our Corporate Communications campaign titled “Tagged SAFE” was launched and gained ground as days passed.

From releasing appropriate advisories and medical bulletins to the production of countless communication materials, disseminating the heartbreaking news, however difficult it may be, and showcasing triumphs, adapting new ways of doing media interviews whether they be live or taped for online television and radio guestings to launching new hospital services and product offerings. It never crossed our minds to give up and we remained unfazed in the face of this new normal era.

Physical, emotional challenge

WORKING in a hospital during a pandemic is a challenge not just physically but also mentally. It is an everyday struggle and yet it was fulfilling. all our efforts were worth it, even if it meant that we had to report for work while the entire community was on lockdown. We had to don personal protective equipment for hours, undergo a series of laboratory tests for our safety, were obliged to isolate and quarantine, and not see family members for weeks or even months, so as not to compromise their well-being.

Each day, we would see worried individuals in our hallways, colleagues in tears, stories of colleagues and close friends getting infected, and worst of all, waking up to the horrible news that a good doctor and friend had passed away. On the brighter side, we witnessed countless stories of hope, healing, and survival, stories that were all worth celebrating. all of that became our motivation to give our best to serve as the support crew and backbone for our frontliners, serving as a wheel to keep them going.

as you go around the hospital, you will have the opportunity to come across other health-care workers. aside from doctors and nurses, there are others who work tirelessly hand-in-hand to serve our public in the midst of Covid-19 crisis. They are housekeepers and aides who ensure that the hospital is disinfected and cleaned in the proper way.

Supply custodians

WE are grateful to the supply custodians who wrestled with the shortage of PPES and were able to provide whatever supplies the hospital needed. Standing 24/7 are the security officers and CCTV technicians who were committed to protect our patients, employees, and guests. The drivers of shuttle services, cafeteria staff, messengers, IT technicians, telephone operators, medical secretaries all donned PPE’S and were armed with courage, compassion, and commitment. Every one of them contributed a vital role in this fight against Covid-19.

What was my greatest realization? It was that this pandemic is a team battle, and while we all come from different backgrounds, we are a family and we need each other in order to survive.

We have come a long way but there’s still so much to conquer. Let’s continue with a positive mindset and high optimism that this pandemic will end soon. When that time comes, we can finally give each other the warmest and tightest hugs we have ever given.

For now, to tag yourselves safe, wear your face mask and face shield, do proper hand hygiene, observe social distancing, and more importantly, go down on your knees and give thanks, and praise to God that one day soon Covid will all be but a memory.