This article is written by Suzianah Nhazzla Ismail, political scientist at the National Institute of Public Administration, Malaysia

It was just a regular Sunday for my husband and I.

I remember it vividly. We’d just had a quiet breakfast when I decided to break the news to him that I wanted to voluntarily take the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test. I can still remember the look on his face. He was baffled and immediately asked why I was so eager to take the test. My explanation to him was simple: I just wanted to be sure.

After getting swabbed at one of the private hospitals, I was instructed to quarantine myself at home until the result was out. I received a call the next day. I was positive for Covid-19. I phoned my husband and asked him to come home right away. The top management of his workplace immediately ordered everyone who was in contact with him to get tested for Covid-19 and work from home. My husband went for the Covid-19 test and on 5 January, he tested positive too.

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The Petaling District Health Office (PDHO) then phoned and informed me to pack my things as there were beds at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS). MAEPS is the Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centre that accommodates patients with mild symptoms. As for my husband, he was ordered to self-quarantine at home for 10 days.

At 5:30pm an ambulance from the public clinic of Shah Alam arrived at my doorstep and medical personnel fully-suited in personal protective equipment calmly escorted me to the ambulance. I arrived at MAEPS at 7:00pm that evening.

At the treatment centre

Despite the long hours of waiting to check into the quarantine centre, the medical front-liners were very calm and helpful in assisting all patients, both citizens and non-citizens.

When I arrived in Hall B of the quarantine centre, the arrangements and procedures for incoming patients were well organised. I could see how tired the medical front-liners were, yet still they executed their duties diligently. First, they checked our vital signs, then assigned us to our beds, then followed up by asking some medical questions and providing a late supper.

I will never forget my experience as a Covid-19 patient at MAEPS or the high-level of professionalism, compassion, and attentiveness shown by the medical front-liners.

On 6 January, waking up at the quarantine centre was a whole new experience for me. As the day went by, I was really touched by the Malaysian spirit. Regardless of race and religion, we were taking care of each other. We shared our food and snacks, exchanged Covid-19 stories, and the 23-year-old Malaysian-Chinese girl placed next to me addressed me as “akak” (a term of endearment for an older sister), and even sought relationship advice from me. Everyone was friendly and compassionate.

The medical front-liners distributed milk for the children, prepared a reading corner for the adults, set up a colouring station for the kids, and gave biscuits and bread to patients who checked in after midnight.

They coached us on how to breathe properly as some patients suffered palpitations and breathing difficulties. We had motivational and rhythmic exercise sessions to make sure that our mental state was not affected by the confinement. The medical front-liners were polite at all times, despite the aggressive and irritable attitude towards the circumstances exhibited by some patients.

The resilience of the staff

I remember clearly a woman of European descent creating an ugly scene at the quarantine centre. She was flipping out in front of everyone, claiming that her mental health was at risk from being brought to the centre. She even released a video, which was later shown on national TV in Malaysia. She alleged that the conditions at the centre were upsettingly poor and debilitating, that there were no blankets or pillows, that there was faeces all over the toilet floor. On top of all this, she claimed that there was heavy military presence at the perimeter of the centre.

Not once did the nurses or doctors raise their voices at her, despite her ridiculous behaviour. Instead, they politely tried to calm her down and sought to accommodate her requests. I can dispel a few of her accusations. The toilets in Hall B of the quarantine centre were used by many patients, and while one should not expect toilets in such places to be like the one they use at home, I never found them to be anything other than clean.

The military personnel were from the State Volunteer Department (RELA). In Hall B, we had two lovely female RELA officers helping out the medical front-liners. Despite occasional food shortages, not once did the medical front-liners let us down. They always managed to get hold of biscuits and bread while we waited for the next batch of food to arrive.

They made their rounds, dolling medicine out to those who needed it most, and constantly checked the vital signs of those who felt unwell. Despite the myriad requests thrown their way, they always smiled and responded to the patients cordially.

What I learned

Based on my quarantine experience, I would like to make it very clear that working from home and maintaining a safe social distance are still the most important actions anyone can take to combat the spread of the virus.

Had I not voluntarily taken the swab test, I wouldn’t have known that I was positive for Covid-19, and would have still been going into the office. I can’t imagine the number of people that I would have infected with the virus, especially as my workplace initially struggled to adapt to remote working.

I will never forget my experience as a Covid-19 patient at MAEPS or the high-level of professionalism, compassion, and attentiveness shown by the medical front-liners.

I was discharged from the quarantine centre on 12 January. I am of the view that epidemics are perhaps the most important stress test any care system can undergo. How much resilience is built into those systems only becomes clear once they have been put through such tests. Adhering to the advice by medical professionals allows that test to take place effectively.

To all of the medical front-liners in Malaysia, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you once again for all your hard work and support during this difficult time. I’ll never forget your exemplary display of humility, bravery, kindness, and strength. Thank you for being my country’s guiding light in the face of adversity. — Suzianah Nhazzla Ismail

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(Picture Credit: By CDC from Pexels)