Not all frontliners are visible

PETALING JAYA: You don’t see them in the front lines but they are working quietly behind the scene.

They are another group of unsung heroes in the war against Covid-19, labouring over the various samples taken from patients.

Their life and work routine have undergone a drastic change following the viral outbreak.

A lab technologist from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, who only wants to be known as Husna, said several of her colleagues have been reassigned to help at her unit that conducts the real-time polymerase chain reaction tests (RT-PCR) on suspected Covid-19 samples.

“Our work hours have extended as some of us are quarantined due to contact with patients who have tested positive. Now we can only go home at the earliest at 9pm, ” she told The Star.

Husna, 38, said extra precautions had to be taken when handling samples from patients who have a history of severe respiratory infection (SARI), or patients under investigation and close contacts.

“These samples can only be opened in the biosafety cabinet and the person in charge must wear a full personal protective equipment (PPE) suit, ” she said.

Some of the biggest challenges for lab technologists were samples with incomplete details or those sent not according to proper methods.

“We receive many samples in a day and there are those not labelled clearly whether they came from patients suspected of Covid-19.

“Worse is when there are patients who withheld their travel history because their samples could have been handled without proper preparations, ” she said, adding that everyone – from the person who accepted the sample to the person who disposed of it – could be infected.

Her colleague Haslina Mahbob, 41, has been working 12 hours a day including on weekends.

“Most of us only sleep five or six hours a day. We are taking turns to have our off days.

“Work is more challenging because we have to put on the PPE suit for a long time for the process of separating and testing a sample that can take up to seven to eight hours.

“That’s why many of us are not eating at regular times, ” she said, adding that they also have to take a thorough bath before leaving for home.

Despite the heavy workload, Haslina said she and her teammates find strength by helping each other at work.

They are also moved by the warm wishes from Malaysians.

“We were really touched when people from all walks of life give us words of encouragement.

“They also donate food, drinks and other necessities.

“Such kind gestures really make us feel appreciated and that our hard work is worth it, ” added Haslina.

A public health inspector, who did not want to be named, concurred.

“We are truly thankful for all the food and medical supplies that have been donated to us, ” he said, noting that not many people were aware of the nature of their job prior to the outbreak.

Since his colleagues and him have been reassigned to the Communicable Disease Control Unit or at the operation centres to help, he said their work would usually end around midnight each day.

“Sometimes it even gets extended until 3am.

“Some of us have to sleep in the office to take over the control and tracing operations that start as early as 3am, ” he said.