Forgoing Raya, nurses do their bit by working throughout

IPOH: For nurse Kamaruzzaman Rosli, he will miss his mother’s special curry noodles during Hari Raya.

The 33-year-old has not been celebrating the joyous occasion with his family for the past two years due to work commmitments.

Having worked in the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital for 10 years now, Kamaruzzaman said he has no issue with working during Raya.

“For sure, I will miss the festive air, the open house and my siblings as they will also be returning to our hometown in Kuala Kangsar.

“My mother’s homemade curry noodles with cockles is really popular among the relatives.

Call of duty: No balik kampung for nurses Kamaruzzaman (left) and Sayidah this year.

“But I have an important responsibility here at the hospital and I am fine with it.

“I can still celebrate with my friends and colleagues here,” said Kamaruzzaman, who will be on call this year.

Kamaruzzaman did not get to go home last year for Hari Raya because he was taking care of some Covid-19 patients then.

“I did not want to take any risk, even if I had been wearing personal protection equipment as I was afraid that I could still infect someone. I went back to my hometown for Hari Raya about two years ago but it was only a brief visit,” he said.

Another nurse Sayidah Nafisah, 35, who works at the Perak Community Specialist Hospital, also does not mind working.

Sayidah, who will be working on the first and third day of Hari Raya this year, said it had become a norm for her to work during the celebration.

“Patients conveying their festive wishes makes my day.

“I get to celebrate the occasion with my colleagues and we would have meals together at the hospital,” said the mother of two from Kedah, who has been working at the hospital for 11 years.

“After getting off work on the first day, my family and I will go to my in-laws’ place in Gerik,” said Sayidah, who hopes to go on leave and return to her hometown after the celebration.

Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital director Dr Megat Iskandar Megat Abdul Hamid assured the public that there would be adequate number of staff on duty during the celebration.

The doctors and nurses, said Dr Megat Iskandar, would be working according to their shift as well as being on call during the first four days of the celebration.

“If there are emergencies, like a mass disaster, those on leave will be recalled.

“We are prepared for any eventuality as we are expecting many people to return home from other states for the occasion.”