Healthcare heroes recount their ordeals


Strength in unity: Some of the frontliners joining hands in their fight against Covid-19 during the height of the pandemic.

PETALING JAYA: When Malaysia and the world went to war against Covid-19, it was the medical frontliners who worked tirelessly under gruelling conditions as the first line of defence against the virus.

They worked non-stop, outfitted in personal protective equipment (PPE) that made them feel they were in a sauna.

They had to set aside their emotions at not being able to go back to be with their loved ones for weeks on end.

Worse, the hospitals they were working in were bursting at the seams with high patient loads and they had to deal with overstretched and severely limited medical resources.

Despite these complications, our frontliners pulled through and rightfully have been recognised as true heroes.

For Dr Brigette Woo, the memories from five years ago are still vivid. The pandemic also led to a major turning point in her personal life.

She said serving as a frontliner during the Covid-19 pandemic from March 2020 to 2021 in Johor Baru was one of the most challenging experiences of her life.

She worked to provide care for Covid-19 patients, monitored symptoms, administered treatments and took blood samples.

She was part of the pioneer batch of frontliners drafted to serve even before a vaccine existed.

The challenges she faced included physical exhaustion from working long hours wearing PPE, which caused dehydration due to excessive sweating.

“The emotional toll was also apparent. The fear of contracting the virus and spreading it to our loved ones was constant. Witnessing patients struggling to breathe, dying and the anguish of families separated from their loved ones was a frightful experience,” said Dr Woo, who now works at a private hospital.

“There was a time when a patient might not survive, and we donned PPE to help him make a video call to his wife and children. It might have been their last call. Thankfully, the patient survived,” she said.

Five years on, she said she has learned that the true meaning of humanity is having an immense capacity for compassion and resilience despite the vulnerability to uncertainty and harm.

“Meeting my future husband, a fellow doctor during the Covid-19 pandemic, was a blessing. We were both called in from different hospitals to help in the sudden surge of Covid-19 patients. This experience has instilled in me a better appreciation of the value of life,” she added.

Dr Cedric Wee, who served at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, said as a house officer at that time, it was an experience mixed with exhaustion and fear.

“Being a new doctor at a time when the healthcare system was stretched thin really tested me in every way possible.

“One of the worst experiences I remember was contracting Covid-19 while working in the Emergency Department. After completing my quarantine, I was immediately tasked with working 12-hour shifts in full PPE, as the staff shortage was critical and most of my colleagues were also down with Covid-19.

Working in full PPE was gruelling.

“The layers of protective gear made everything harder – vision was blurry through fogged goggles, double gloves dulled my sense of touch and performing procedures became more challenging.

“Every movement required immense focus and the physical toll was indescribable. That day is etched in my memory as one of the toughest I’ve faced,” he added.

Dr Wee is now applying to undergo a Master of Sports Medicine programme at Universiti Malaya.

Dr Sean Thum served in Johor, Sabah and Selangor in 2020 and 2021.

“We faced long hours and immense pressure. However, I was motivated by a profound sense of duty.

“As a doctor, I felt a deep responsibility to provide the best possible care to my patients, especially during a time when their need for medical assistance was critical,” he said.

Looking back five years on, he said his experience shaped his career path profoundly.

“Witnessing firsthand how government policies directly impacted the lives of the rakyat ignited a desire in me to contribute to policymaking,” says Dr Thum, who now serves as special functions officer to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

“This experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for the importance of effective and compassionate governance,” he added.

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