Mkini journalist recounts experience under quarantine in hospital
COMMENT | It is a normal scene for one to observe doctors and nurses running here and there to assist persons under investigation for Covid-19.
It has been four days since I was discharged from ward 5D of the Sungai Buloh Hospital after I tested negative for the virus.
I had the first-hand experience seeing nurses being overwhelmed in assisting patients who complained of headaches, while some vomited and others complained of difficulty breathing and coughing incessantly...
COMMENT | It is a normal scene for one to observe doctors and nurses running here and there to assist persons under investigation for Covid-19.
It has been four days since I was discharged from ward 5D of the Sungai Buloh Hospital after I tested negative for the virus.
I had the first-hand experience seeing nurses being overwhelmed in assisting patients who complained of headaches, while some vomited and others complained of difficulty breathing and coughing incessantly.
Despite this, all the doctors and nurses treated each patient thoroughly and with patience at the highest level - never once did I hear them complain.
Some patients were stubborn, refusing to take their medication but the doctors and nurses still put up with their whims.
I was a person under investigation (PUI) and placed at the ward for three days beginning Thursday last week.
I had undertaken preliminary tests at the Shah Alam health clinic after I experienced a runny nose and started coughing. I was also informed that I had close contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.
“You are now a PUI, you cannot meet your family and friends and we will bring you straight to the Sungai Buloh Hospital using an ambulance.
“You will have to ask someone to take your car here in Shah Alam,” said a female doctor after I had undergone the preliminary test.
‘Don’t go beyond the red line’
On my first day at the ward, I was informed of a few important things by the nurse.
“Don’t go beyond the red line, if you want anything, just call the nurse.
“Don’t go anywhere and just rest in your bed and take your medication,” stressed the nurse.
Whenever we went beyond the red line, the nurse would come and lecture us, just like a hostel warden.
That night, a blood sample and mouth swab were taken to determine whether I was positive with the virus.
Every two to three hours, a doctor and a nurse wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) would come and take my body temperature. They would change their suits before meeting every patient.
This means they would have to change their suits 40 times if they have to meet 40 patients.
Waited an hour for a bottle of water
While we were taken care of properly and given medicine, the hospital was facing a shortage of staff.
I once asked for a bottle of mineral water and did not get it even half an hour later.
“I’m sorry, we have to work longer hours, some even have to work for 12 hours daily because we have more and more patients,” a nurse told me.
So what is there having to wait an hour for a bottle of water? These doctors and nurses have to sacrifice their time away from their families and even have to put their lives at risk.
I even saw doctors who did not have time to eat due to the growing number of patients.
Absence of family members to accompany patients during the quarantine period definitely affects their mental and emotional well-being.
With the Health Ministry announcing the increase of the number of cases daily, patients under quarantine grew even more restless waiting for their test results.
But the doctors and nurses never stopped to raise our spirits with comforting words.
Some persons under investigation said they were shocked when told that they were at a higher risk to contract the virus.
Nurul (not her real name), said she was brought to ward 5D after she accidentally touched a person who had tested positive for the virus while working.
“I had accidentally touched the person and immediately started having a fever and I also started coughing so I was brought to the Sungai Buloh Hospital.”
Mei Ling (not her real name), was stopped at KLIA after developing a runny nose and coughs since her return from Taiwan.
“I didn’t have time to meet my parents as I was sent straight to the Sungai Buloh Hospital,” said the Johor Bahru lass.
Following news that a person who had attended a mass tabligh gathering, scores of men clad in robes and skull caps could be seen admitted to the ward as well.
‘Please don’t come again’
I was confirmed to be free from the virus on Saturday night and allowed to return home.
“But you must quarantine yourself at home for 14 days. Take care of yourself, wear a mask and use hand sanitiser.
“Please don’t come again,” smiled the doctor.
Only God knew how happy I was. But I could see the glum faces of the other patients who were still waiting for their results.
I pray that all patients at the ward would receive good news and be allowed home to their families.
I also wish to express my utmost gratitude to the doctors and nurses risking their lives every day for fellow Malaysians.
It is clear how big their sacrifices are to treat patients.
RAMIEZA WAHID is a Malaysiakini journalist who is currently under self-quarantine at home for 14 days after testing negative for Covid-19.
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