Specialising as a respiratory physician means I am involved in assessing patients who display symptoms of respiratory distress such as dry cough, shortness of breath etc. While these are associated with COVID-19, unfortunately, they are also common for several other respiratory conditions. As part of the COVID-19 taskforce, along with drafting the SOPs, the most critical part of my role was to reach a right diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

This takes me back to an incident with a patient who I assessed from the United States. He was travelling through many countries before arriving in Malaysia. The day after he landed, we (Malaysia) exercised a border control and he was unable to go back. Shortly after, he started having a dry cough and breathing difficulties and rushed to do the COVID-19 test. Even after two negative results, he continued to display the symptoms and decided to come in for an examination.

After examining him, I realised that the problem was an allergic reaction, prescribed the right medicines and a week later he felt much better. I remember him walking to me and saying that he was happy to be in lockdown in Malaysia, because the medical assistance he received had been very well managed and he left safe here, even though he was away from his own home. He also attested to really enjoying nasi goreng kampung!

For us in the medical profession, patient well-being is our utmost priority, no matter the circumstances around us. At the end of the day, we are here to serve. We just have to embrace that and work with faith that all will be well.

• To find out more about ‘A Hundred Unsung Heroes’ click here:
  https://www.mhtc.org.my/mhtc/2020/10/21/paying-tribute-to-frontliners-malaysia-healthcare-expresses-gratitude-to-the-nations-marvellous-unsung-heroes/

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