Our very own Frontliner Hero

When a cousin, Dr. Yasothini Arunachalam volunteered to be a frontliner, many of us had mixed feelings. We were proud of her but we were also worried about her safety. So when she returned home after the stipulated quarantine time, I seized the opportunity to find out from her about how was it like being in the defence team against the incredibly tiny yet destructive virus.

1. What was your reaction when you learned about the pandemic and its severity?

I was following the news closely and felt alarmed at the rising numbers and was quite worried about it.

2. What thoughts played on your mind when you volunteered as a frontliner?

I knew right away that I wanted to help because I have the skills to do so. Plus the clinic I worked at was closed so I was free. When I received an e-mail from CPRC asking for volunteers, I had a discussion with my husband and kids and they supported my decision to sign up as a frontliner. I did have some concerns as I have diabetes therefore I am a high risk but I was confident that I would be fully protected when executing my duties.

3. Did you face any form of resistance and discouragement from your extended family or friends? How did you manage that?

When tsunami struck in 2004, I wanted to join Mercy Malaysia but my children were very young and husband was working full time so I couldn’t volunteer therefore when this opportunity came, they gave the green light. My husband and kids reluctantly said that they would manage as they were older now and my husband was working from home. Even my mum said she was waiting for me to volunteer and cheekily added that she wanted to join me. Of course, I said no (laughs)

There were no outright discouragement from others and those who voiced their concerns about my safety only offered to include me in their prayers. I am blessed for the support and love everyone gave.

4. What was your day like during your voluntary days?

So three days after I filled up the form, I received the call to attend a briefing session at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Setia Alam. By then, I had moved into my apartment. Every day I would drive to the Lembah Pantai  Health Office(PKLP), park my car there, attend the briefing, review the cases for the day followed by the daily plan before we are assigned to teams. Then we board the van to head to our zone. We are divided into 5 different tiers from registration, taking samples from the patients until the specimen is labelled to be sent to the lab. Each tier has specific tasks. My job involved screening the Sri Petaling tabligh cluster as well as the residents at Menara City One condominium, Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion.

5. What were your feelings when you were out there being a frontliner?

We were assigned to one of the Red Zones in KL which is the Masjid India area. Our team comprised of medical officers, nurses, health inspectors and medical assistants. And we worked hard for at least 5 hours non-stop. Honestly, we were too busy with work to feel fear of getting the virus but one can feel extremely agitated when wearing  the PPE with masks on. You would have to put it on for at least 2 hours and maximum up to 4 hours. You would not drink water or go to the toilet because you would not want to compromise your safety by removing the mask even for a few seconds to take a sip of water. So the unbearable heat and dehydration can really bear you down.

6. Did you ever have the fear that you would contract the virus when you were treating the patients?

On my first attempt of taking a swab from my patient, he vomited all over me. I panicked for a bit because this was my very first patient but I quickly got myself cleaned thoroughly immediately. So the worry was in the back of my mind but that patient was tested negative later on and that was a relief. He was extremely apologetic, poor guy.

Dr.Yasothini in her full gear

7. Did you face any uncooperative patients while you were carrying out your duties?

The patients (mostly migrant workers) understood the importance of being screened so they were very cooperative.  We had a little bit of communication problem (of which nothing simple sign language could solve)

8. What did you do manage the loneliness during your quarantine?

After the voluntary stint, I had to quarantine myself for two weeks. I took the opportunity to learn how to play the keyboard, I read a lot and visited my family (from afar) once a week. And to stay fit, I used the stairs up to 10 flights and gradually increased it to 30 flights before the quarantine ended. I lived on the 36th floor. Zoom calls with family and friends kept me company too. I did miss my bed though (apart from my family, of course)

9. Was the experience being a frontliner as what you had imagined?

Yes. I loved the adrenaline rush and to be able to do something for the country in this unprecedented times. I had chats with my friends in the public health sector who gave me some ideas of what to expect so I was mentally prepared. And I was so proud to see our team grow from 30 to 90 frontliners before my stint ended

10. What learnings have you acquired from this experience?

This virus has taught us that one can never take life for granted.  And it’s amazing to see how people of all walks of life come together to fight this virus without seeing race or hierarchy.

Although it is a catastrophe, it has also revealed the side of humans where we can be united when need be. Very similar to families, when needed we put our differences aside and come together.

11. What are your opinions about how Malaysia has done to combat this pandemic as compared to other countries?

I must say that the Public Health sector has done a fantastic job in taking the preliminary actions earlier on so we could manage the pandemic. As you know many countries out there are crippled by their overwhelmed and exhausted medical fraternity. I am convinced we have taken the right steps to keep it under control.

12. What is the one thing you believe would help to keep the pandemic at bay here in Malaysia?

To strictly adhere to the guidelines provided and rules set by the Health Ministry as well as the National Security Council. It will take some time before life gets back to how it used to be.