Never say die, Michael Chong tells Covid-19 patients

PETALING JAYA: If you want to give up fighting Covid-19 just because you are old, please don’t.

And it is certainly not right to think that doctors at Covid-19 wards prefer saving younger patients to the elderly.

These are the words from the country's premier Mr Fix-It, Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who is himself a former patient of the respiratory disease.

He said he has been getting many calls from the elderly, including his friends, who have contracted Covid-19, begging him to tell their families and doctors to “let them die”.

“A few people even called from the hospital ward and the ICU (intensive care unit) to tell me they could not stand the pain and suffering anymore.

“They begged me to tell their family and doctors to just let them go or be put to sleep.

“As a recovered Covid-19 patient, it saddened me and broke my heart to hear that,” said the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head.

One of those calls was from Wu, 75, a childhood friend of his from Batu Arang in Gombak, Selangor.

Chong said Wu had called him on Sunday (Sept 26), crying that he could no longer bear the suffering at the ICU anymore.

“Half an hour after his call, I got the news that his wife, who was also admitted to the same ward, had succumbed to Covid-19.

“The family was devastated and had initially held back the news from him, but told him later since the couple were in the same ward."

Chong said Wu’s last memory of his wife was days before her passing when both husband and wife were allowed to spend half an hour together at the ward on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept 21).

“They had a video call with the family and their children and grandchildren could be heard in the background cheering them on to keep fighting."

For now, Chong said Wu remains at the ICU in Sungai Buloh Hospital fighting for his life.

“The family and doctors are not giving up on him. This is what we have been telling him to do... stay strong and beat the disease.

“Anyone who thinks that they are old and won’t be saved when admitted to the hospital for Covid-19 is sorely mistaken.

“Our doctors will do their best to save every patient,” said Chong, 72, who recovered from Covid-19 recently.

Chong tested positive for Covid-19 on Dec 30 last year and was sent to the ICU on Jan 8. He remained there for 12 days to battle the virus that had attacked his lungs.

After his recovery and discharge from the hospital, Chong was admitted to a private hospital in February for a lung condition.

“It took me about eight months to fully recover. I know how dreadful it feels fighting an invisible virus.

“But no matter what, I encourage everyone to keep fighting and think of our loved ones,” he said, adding that everyone must get themselves vaccinated to protect their family.