Medical frontliner in viral image shares experience helping the elderly
The struggle of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for hours under the scorching heat while fasting has not dampened the spirits of health inspectors Mastura Maznor and Shahir Razali to help those in need.
A picture of the duo assisting an elderly woman has made its round on social media and received praises from many including Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah....
The struggle of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for hours under the scorching heat while fasting has not dampened the spirits of health inspectors Mastura Maznor and Shahir Razali to help those in need.
A picture of the duo assisting an elderly woman has made its round on social media and received praises from many including Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Sharing the story behind the picture, Mastura (above, left), 37, said that it was taken in Pudu on May 5, when she and Shahir (above, right) were involved in conducting mass sampling for Covid-19 in the area.
On that day, she was knocking on every door to get residents to go to the sampling centre erected nearby.
"The woman in the picture worked in one of the premises. Her right foot was wrapped in a bandage and she relied on crutches to walk.
"I accompanied her as she walked slowly. But it got difficult for her to walk steadily on the uneven tarmac road.
"Besides, it was so hot and her face had turned pale," she told Malaysiakini.
After discussing with Shahir, it was then decided that he would carry the lady on his shoulder.
"Coincidentally, there were media photographers on duty in the area and that's how our picture got taken," she said.
Working in a high-risk area and surrounded with Covid-19 suspects, Mastura said she had become accustomed to wearing PPE for hours even under the sun.
"On that day, I was sweating profusely inside the PPE having to wear it from 10am to 4pm.
"The PPE that I wore was meant for high-risk areas. It's very protected with layers of material, and that means it gets hot after a while," she said.
However, Mastura said she is far from complaining as she is happy with helping the country in the effort to flatten the curve of Covid-19.
Noor Hisham had described the duo as heroes in his Facebook post yesterday, saying that they had internalised the tagline "we are ready to serve."
"Treating human life delicately without racial or religious boundaries. Our health inspector Shahir carried this elderly Chinese aunty to the centre for Covid-19 testing.
"Fasting in Ramadan and serving the people in need while in full PPE suits, indeed you guys are our heroes. Very proud of you both and thank you," he said.
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