Our Frontline Employee of the Week is… Malinee Singh
By Romario Blair
With only a few days left for 2020, most of us can do nothing but reflect on the challenges this year has raided us, while at the same time waiting optimistically for the promises of 2021. Undoubtedly, the COVID Pandemic- 19 is the most terrifying challenge, and undoubtedly responsible for many broken hearts around the world at this time of year.
Family support needed.
Singh with her husband and their three-year-old son
In Guyana, we recognize that the spread of COVID-19 could have been far more devastating without our frontline employees. Dr. Malinee Singh, who is currently attached to Suddie Public Hospital on the Essequibo Coast, devoted much of her time throughout this year, towards the fight against COVID-19.
Currently Dr. Singh, who has been in the profession for about seven years, is attached to the hospital isolation area. She is also tasked with responsibilities in the Quarantine and Medical wards. This 32-year-old professional went on to describe her ‘pre-COVID-19’ regime, saying, “Most of the time I help with the chronic disease patients … so basically we are We see patients with chronic diseases such as diabetic cases and hypertension and we manage them in the ward. ”
Singh explained that routine changed last March when Guyana first recorded its COVID-19 death. “Since COVID-19 though, I’ve had to dedicate a portion of my daily routine to the isolation and quarantine areas.”
Doctor Malinee Singh, who is also a young mother, told Kaieteur News that her love of her profession had forced her to volunteer on the front line. “I really like what I do and enjoy working with my patients… I think there should be no stigma attached to working with patients with COVID-19. They should be treated fairly. ”
Doctor Singh went on to say, “it is my duty to serve humanity equally because my reasoning is that one of those patients could be your relative. When we support those patients, we support those families as well, so sometimes you have to put yourself in that person’s jobs and feel how they feel. So I enjoy working with those patients. “
Dr. Singh in the Adventure Community, which is a quiet little village located just within a mile of Suddie. He attended Suddie Primary School, before moving on to President’s College. In 2005, he graduated from President’s College with 10 CXC subjects.
Dedicated front line worker: Malinee Singh.
Committed to the destruction of COVID-19.
She said her parents, Lakiraj and Leeawattie Singh, insisted she spend some time at home, after she graduated. “My parents didn’t want me to look at anything and I spent a year at home. During that year I applied for a scholarship to go to Cuba, ”Dr. Singh.
She said her grandmother had fired her interest in the medical field. “Since I was a little girl I always wanted to become a doctor because when I got my grandmother around she said she would like her granddaughter to become a doctor… and I’m happy I went with the idea because I had a chance to help her in the diabetic clinic, ”says Dr. Singh.
Like most doctors who traveled abroad, adapting to the practices of a foreign nation, can be quite challenging. Dr. Singh found that the language barrier was quite frustrating at times, as it had no base in Spanish.
“When I applied, I got a reply within three months and was off to Cuba. My experience was unique but one of our main difficulties was adapting. It took me some time to adjust because the language was a challenge. However within the seven years I was over in Cuba, I managed to pull through smoothly, ”says Dr. Singh.
The eldest of four siblings, she revealed that her family was extremely supportive during her effort abroad. “My parents were always trying to give my siblings the best education. So at the time when I explained that I was going to study abroad, they tried to support me … they seemed to choose me and I am grateful for that. “
Dr. Singh from Cuba in 2013, and has since been assigned to Suddie Public Hospital. She has a family of her own with her husband, Kawan Suchit, and their three-year-old little boy, Kelvin. Dr. Singh found that finding the time to balance her family life with her professional life can be difficult. “I have a challenge where I don’t have to spend as much time with my family as I want and with the pandemic it’s increasingly difficult, just trying to balance work and family life.”
Dr. Singh, as she reflects on 2020, there is still a measure of positivity that can be taken away. He went on to explain that, while the year was indeed a busy one, it strengthened the bond between frontline healthcare providers.
“The year 2020 has taught me a lot; in terms of my career it has strengthened our teamwork relationship. Our colleagues have become more like family … of course, from time to time we can get very emotional when dealing with frontline patients, but when we encourage and lift each other we even develop a bond is stronger and cannot be broken, ”says Dr. Singh.
With the introduction of a new vaccine, many are optimistic that COVID-19 could soon be history. When asked about the potential benefits that a vaccine could offer to frontline workers in Guyana, Dr. Singh, “We are all excited that a new vaccine is being introduced because it will help us tremendously, in reducing the workload, and we hope it is effective so that people can get back into their lives normal. ”
Dr. Singh, while we are waiting for the vaccine to arrive, the battle is far from over, as an influx of confirmed cases remains. This, he says, can be linked to individuals taking the virus lightly. “Most people who still don’t believe COVID are real and don’t defend themselves. We try as much as possible to warn people that asymptomatic individuals may transmit the virus without even knowing it, but for some reason people do not take these warnings seriously. “
During this holiday season, Dr. Singh wishes to advise people to break the chain of transmission by adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. “I would like to advise those individuals to be safe, take all precautions and practice hygiene so that we can reduce the number of cases because those simple things can help the healthcare system. We know there is a vaccine coming, but don’t be disappointed to guard, because the battle is not over yet, ”said Dr. Singh.