While we see frontliners like doctors, medical staff, and police officers carrying out their daily responsibilities to protect the nation from the spread of the deadly virus, some individuals’ roles are being overlooked, and we should take this opportunity to acknowledge their time and effort in playing a critical role in such trying times.
Meet Sivapackiam Shanmugam, a Sungai Buloh native and one of the many security guards at Sungai Buloh Hospital, the main infectious disease centre treating the novel coronavirus.
If you think her job as a security guard is simply to keep an eye on patients and staff as they enter and exit the compound, you’re mistaken.
Here’s what the 46-year-old had to say about the functionalities and responsibilities of her job to the New Straits Times. She worked as a grass cutter at the Kelab Rahman Putra Golf & Country Club for 27 years before becoming a security guard.
She usually stands for long periods of time at her workplace and walks around to ensure that patients are served in a timely manner.
She said;
“The security company that I work for provides more than 50 security guards to the hospital and we are rotated on 12-hour shifts from 7am to 7pm and from 7pm to 7am seven days a week.”
It is her responsibility to ensure that only those with legitimate reasons, such as staff who work at the hospital or patients who require medical attention, are allowed to enter the building.
According to Sivapackiam, the guards have always been committed to ensuring that patients and visitors follow standard operating procedures (SOP).
“We also make sure that the public follow all the necessary rules and SOP while they are here such as wearing face masks, sanitising their hands, taking body temperature readings, practise physical distancing and scanning the MySejahtera app.”
Sivapackiam is firm in upholding the rules when necessary, despite her warm and friendly demeanour. And as long as she completes her job and performs to the best of her ability, the day would end on a positive note.
The accountable security guard also stated that she enjoys working at the hospital, despite the fact that it is currently the primary hospital for treating COVID-19 patients, particularly the most serious ones.
“The role we play as security guards may go unnoticed, but we take pride in what we do because we are contributing towards the hospital being able to function, receive and treat so many patients every day.”
Her husband, on the other hand, has kidney problems and thus is unable to work. As a result, when she returns home, she will be extra cautious because she does not want to endanger the lives of her husband, who is prone to infection, and her three children.
She further said;
“I am not in good health as well as I have been diagnosed with thyroid and back problems, but since my husband is in a far worse shape, I decided to work and earn a living for us.
“The hospital’s staff are all very exhausted as they have been working non-stop under extremely strenuous conditions and demands, so we are glad to help in any way apart from doing our usual job.”
She has nothing but praise and appreciation for the staff at the hospital.
Sivapackiam stated that she prays every day for Malaysians to band together and follow the SOP, having witnessed far too much pain, heartache, despair, and grief at the hospital.
“If people could see, hear and experience what I have seen here at the hospital since the pandemic broke early last year, I’m sure everyone will abide by the rules and do whatever it takes to get rid of the virus once and for all.”
Source: New Straits Times
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