Pleasant jab experience for three-generation family

THREE generations in my family have had very pleasant experiences with our outstanding frontliners at the Covid-19 vaccination centres (PPV).

The way they treated us was so exemplary that I am compelled to express our profound admiration of, as well as gratitude to them.

The compassion and patience extended to my parents, who are in their mid-90s, at the community centre in Bandar Menjalara, Kuala Lumpur were not only very moving but also, I feel, uniquely Malaysian. The frontliners showed sincere concern for their comfort and welfare accompanied with gentle Malaysian humour.

Volunteers ferrying the elderly who required wheelchair assistance did so with grace and courtesy, and never – as I observed on two visits – showed any impatience with the repetitious trips up and down the ramp.

My wife and I, enjoying our warga emas privileges, were fast-tracked for our jabs at the WTC PPV. Getting our second dose was even quicker.

There was a different dynamic at WTC with a strong presence of young volunteers who were undergraduates from medical faculties. Nevertheless, the same compassion and good humour experienced by my parents were present, and very much appreciated.

I hope their service during this period will carry some well-deserved weight in their resumes.

What was memorable was the very genuine “muhibbah” spirit, with a lot of verbal interaction (social distancing being observed, of course!) and friendly banter.

We left the WTC feeling quite heartened that our fundamental Malaysian values are still alive and kicking.

My wife and I grew up in a genuinely multi-cultural society, our parents being of the pre-Merdeka generation where all the races were united in their struggle for independence, and our “open houses” were genuinely open. There was a semblance of the open house atmosphere at the WTC on both occasions that my wife and I were there!

Finally, my daughter, who received her jabs at University Hospital due to her underlying medical conditions, received the same exemplary care, which her parents and grandparents had earlier enjoyed, thus confirming that our experiences were the norm rather than the exception.

It is difficult to imagine the pressure placed on our frontliners, both those in service and volunteers, but it is clear that they are driven to succeed in their mission and that they are pursuing it without losing their compassion and humanity.

My family and I pray that the Almighty will accept, acknowledge and reward their good deeds, and that HE will continue to bless, guide and protect them as well as their loved ones.

AINUDDIN NOORDIN

Kuala Lumpur