Silent countdown: Dr Muhammad Hazril and Noraishah are among many who will be spending New Year’s Eve on the clock.
PETALING JAYA: New Year’s Eve celebration for medical staff like Najmuddin Mazelan means catching a glimpse of fireworks from a window, if he’s lucky.
That’s because Najmuddin, a medical assistant, would be busy at work tonight.
“We can only catch a glimpse of fireworks from a hospital window. Our night duty is about attending to patients, documentation, and moving from one case to another.
“When midnight arrives, we exchange wishes with colleagues, and then continue with our work,” said Najmuddin, 33.
In fact, his working hours might be extended, depending on the number of patients needing assistance.
And once that is settled, he said that staff members would focus on documentation work and preparing to hand over files for their counterparts taking over the next shift.
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He is among the many Malaysian workers who will be in their uniform or manning counters as they work the graveyard shift.
A fast food chain employee, who wants to be known only as Saras, said she would be on duty from 11pm tonight till 8am tomorrow.
She said that Dec 31 is typically the busiest night of the year.
“It will be packed. People will come to get supper after watching the countdown,” she said.
Prior to midnight, she said that there would be patrons wanting burgers for takeaways to watch the countdown.
“Food delivery riders would be queuing up to collect their orders,” said Saras, 20.
Last year, she celebrated New Year’s Eve with her friends.
“I can’t do so this year but it’s okay. I have to earn (a living),” she said.
Dr Muhamad Hazim Moktar, who works in a private clinic, said that Dec 31 would be like any other working day for him.
He would be on double shift duty from 4pm until 8am the next day.
“We will be to take a few minutes break to watch the fireworks from outside the clinic,” said Dr Muhamad Hazim, 33.
However, he admitted to feeling heavy-hearted that his wife and children would be celebrating the start of a new year without him by their side.
As for Dr Muhammad Hazril Abdul Rahman Raja, 30, who will be working the night shift for the first time on Dec 31, he said: “It’s a typical on-call day for me. There is not so much difference.”
Working in a hospital anaesthesiology department, his work could involve emergency operations and keeping patients stable throughout surgery.
“But I might be able to catch a glimpse of the fireworks from the hospital,” he said.
Noraishah Abdul Hakim, 40, a promoter, said she would rush home if her work finishes early.
“I might go out to catch the fireworks. It really depends on what time I finish work.
“I have five children at home. I’m not particularly interested in the fireworks, but it is something my children look forward to,” she said.
