'I can die sitting at home' – retired nurse volunteers to return to service
CORONAVIRUS | When the time comes, death can come knocking on the door wherever a person is.
This was a former hospital matron's response when quizzed on her decision to volunteer to work again to battle the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia.
"If I sit at home, I would still die when the time comes,” Biby Maideen, 68, told Malaysiakini.
“It is what you can do, even if it is a small help.
CORONAVIRUS | When the time comes, death can come knocking on the door wherever a person is.
This was a former hospital matron's response when quizzed on her decision to volunteer to work again to battle the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia.
"If I sit at home, I would still die when the time comes,” Biby Maideen, 68, told Malaysiakini.
“It is what you can do, even if it is a small help.
"Giving does not only mean donating money or food, but as human beings, you do what you can do. And in my line, this is what I can contribute," she added.
Biby, who suffers from hypertension, which increases her risk, said she discussed with her four children before sending her application after the Health Ministry requested for the help of retired doctors and nurses.
Her children, she added, supported her decision.
Biby said she was trained as a nurse in the United Kingdom and entered service soon after finishing her diploma in 1974.
She worked in the UK for about three years before returning to Malaysia where she joined a private healthcare institution for four more years.
In the early 80s, she joined the public health service and served as a community nurse for about 15 years before returning to the private sector.
Biby said she also attended post-basic training for nurses, where she specialised in accidents and emergencies.
"When I turned 52, I went back to the UK and worked there for 14 years, mainly in nursing homes. I worked there until I retired three years ago on the request of my children, who asked me to rest.
"It was in the UK where I learned and experienced a lot about infectious disease management and palliative care. There they have norovirus and winter virus, which comes every winter.
"So we had to prepare for these, including personal protective equipment (PPEs)," she added.
Asked about the Health Ministry's decision to recall retired veterans, Biby applauded the move, saying that the frontliners could use the manpower reinforcement.
She said while many retirees who return to service might not be able to work directly at the frontline due to their age factor, they could, however, take over lighter duties so that the nurses who are now handling them can focus on caring for patients.
"Now with this shortage (of manpower), the staff will definitely get burned out. It is a physically and mentally demanding job.
"I probably can't be a frontliner but we can still do something that matches our capabilities and contribute.
"Even if it means manning the triage, registering new patients, health screening, or to make calls,” she added.
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