Have you ever thought of the frontliners who are battling with the invisible enemy, when you do your interstate traveling for New Year countdown party with your friends? Christmas gatherings with family and friends?
Lately, a Facebook post from a Malaysian doctor went viral on social media. Looking at the surge of Covid-19 cases, he is concern that our healthcare system is at the breaking point.
The front liners are dealing with a huge influx of patients, while also facing a lack of equipment in many cases and the fear of becoming infected themselves. Often, they face heartbreaking decisions while treating their patients.
▼ Facebook Post From Dr. Zek
His post read:
” Uncle ok?” my simple question.
” This is it, doctor,” uncle answered it in a simple way while gasping for breath. But uncle was still able to smile with tears in his eye.
“Be patient uncle. I will try my best to help.” I’m saying a little bit louder because I’m in full PPE.
This uncle is a COVID-19 patient. I have to go into a decontamination/isolation room to check on him whether he needed respiratory aids. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 level 4-5.
My heart wrenched every time when I’m in full PPE. Yes, We are facing a virus that is invisible. My heart is beating fast as I know those COVID-19 patients are fighting for their lives.
I’m lying to you if I’m telling you I’m not afraid. For Allah’s sake, I am afraid.
While I checked the uncle’s condition, he said, “Doctor, do you want to know my story?”
“Can uncle,” even though I can’t hear him clearly as I’m in full PPE while doing a details check on him.
“Actually I don’t believe this COVID-19. Because someone told me COVID-19 is an illumination, it doesn’t exist, it’s a conspiracy. Thus, I don’t take it seriously.”
“COVID-19 is real, uncle. It’s ok, uncle. Uncle, don’t talk too much, it’s hard to breathe. Hmm,” I said while looking at him gasping for breath.
“Uncle thought it’s just like the normal flu. Apparently, this is dangerous,” uncle carried on with what he wanted to say.
“It’s okay uncle. Be patient. InsyaAllah I will try my best to help.”
“For the sake of Allah. Uncle admits uncle is wrong. Before this, I didn’t believe in doctors. Uncle regrets not wearing a mask.”
A confession from a COVID-19 patient. However, I knew out there still some people thought it’s a conspiracy or thought it’s just like a normal flu virus. I believed those who are in denial of the pandemic never come across COVID-19 patients who fighting for their lives.
“Please pass my message to others, Doctor. Tell them COVID-19 is real, ask them to wear a face mask,” This is the last message from uncle before I exiting his wad. Yes, uncle, I’ll pass the message to everyone. My heart sunk.
Please, people, please! COVID-19 is real. Please wear a face mask, stay at home as much as possible, wash your hands frequently, and avoid crowded places. Strictly adhere to the SOP.
InsyaAllah, we still need a little bit more time to get a vaccine.
But our healthcare system is almost at the breaking point. Ya Allah, protect us.
Dr. Zek
▼Most netizens thanked the frontliners for their selfless contribution.
▼One of the nurses also commented and said, ” We will hang in there as long as we are still able to do so, if we collapsed who will take the responsibility??”
Fellow Malaysians, we are at our highest recording 3, 027 cases yesterday. Our Health D-G took his Facebook to share the expectation on case projection, with Ro / Rt infection rates on 1.2, we will be reaching 8,000 cases daily by the 3rd week of March.
So, please! Let’s do this again, stay home as much as possible, wash hands frequently, and mask on in public places.