Our Frontline Worker of the Week is… Nurse Naomi Rampersaud
“Confirming a new coronavirus strain in Guyana will really bother me, but at the same time we have to brush ourselves up so we can be stronger. As a frontline worker, I know that I have no choice but to face it because in the event of a second stressor … I don’t think the consequences will be so favorable if we give up. ”
By Romario Blair
Chilled Rampersaud Nurse.
In good company.
Kaieteur News – Almost a year ago, Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 outbreak, which resulted in frontline workers, from all over the country, having to work under intense pressure. The intensity of the fighting has not faded. Today, a new strain of the COVID-19 is thought to be responsible for a surge in cases in some countries, one of which is our neighbor to the south – Brazil.
Nevertheless, our frontline workers throughout the country have been accumulating the added strength and courage to continue to fight the threat.
Nurse Naomi Rampersaud, for example, has noted her willingness to fight a potential new stressor, as hard and as long as she can. Nurse Rampersaud, who has over 13 years of experience in the medical field, is currently assigned to Suddie Public Hospital, located along the Essequibo Coast.
The nurse firmly believes that, with teamwork and public cooperation, Guyana can significantly reduce the number of confirmed cases.
Nurse Rampersaud is currently attached to the COVID-19 isolation department in Suddie. There, he continues to perform the functions of a sister ward.
In fact, the 35-year-old woman explained that, unlike some of her colleagues who had volunteered to work in the Isolation Unit, she was appointed.
Sometimes, “thank you,” is enough reward for some frontline workers like Rampersaud Nurse.
Preparing to fight COVID-19.
When asked to describe her reaction when learning that she was required to work in the Isolation Unit, she said, “at first I was scared because at the time we knew very little about the coronavirus. But one of the things I love about the medical field is how it taught me to adapt to changing situations … I mean when something new comes up, despite the danger, it’s we have to face it because at the same time when we are exposed to the danger, it helps save lives or even lives. “
Choosing a career based on love
Nurse Rampersaud said she was inspired to work in the medical field while still in her teens. This, he said, was because one of his grandparents suffered from a terminal illness.
Although she spent much of her early days in Paramaribo, Suriname, Nurse Rampersaud eventually emigrated to Guyana, and performed particularly well in this education system.
She mentioned her success to her parents, Chandrapaul Rampersaud and Tajwattie Rampersaud, who did their utmost to ensure that she and her sister got the best education. “They were very supportive parents and they have always looked out for me and my sister … and always tried to make sure we got a decent education,” said Nurse Rampersaud.
As she reflected on her past, she mentioned gaining her primary education at Taymouth Manor Primary School on the Essequibo Coast. He later attended Abrams Zuil High School and in 2002 graduated with eight subjects from the science stream.
After high school, Nurse Rampersaud was enrolled at Georgetown School of Nursing, where she spent three and a half years, before being assigned to Suddie Public Hospital.
When asked what are the merits of an excellent nurse? He promptly replied, “one who is open… and approachable. That is very important; especially if you want to establish that nurse / patient relationship. My work can be really challenging at times, but at that point I know for myself that I have to face the challenge if I really want to achieve good for my patients. “
Nurse Rampersaud said that since establishing a close bond with patients often involves close contact with them, COVID-19 made this aspect of her job quite challenging. “With COVID-19, we can’t get too close to our patients so that aspect was a bit difficult because it took a little adjusting … sometimes if it’s a critical patient you have to approach the patient directly because it won’t that patient could do so walking so you would have to go in to check their blood pressure and temperature. “
When asked what crosses her mind when she has to be in contact with a COVID-19 patient, Nurse Rampersaud said, “I’m always thinking of ways I can improve these patients, and try to find out how I can improve their situation because isolation can be difficult for many of them. ”
Concerned Guyanese now fear reports of the new strains of COVID-19, which are said to be responsible for the spike in confirmed cases in Brazil. Despite the exhausting months, Nurse Rampersaud said that as a frontline worker, she is ready to deal with whatever comes her way.
He added, “Confirmation of a new coronavirus strain in Guyana will really bother me, but at the same time we have to brush ourselves up so we can be stronger. As a frontline worker, I know that I have no choice but to face it because in the event of a second stressor … I don’t think the consequences will be so favorable if we give up. ”
Highlight the need for public support
According to the nurse, public support for fighting COVID-19 is quite scarce. At the time she was referring to far too many people failing to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.
“It can be very frustrating at times to know that frontline workers around the world are trying to keep this threat away, and yet most of the population continue to ignore all warnings. Large numbers of people still congregate in public, many people refuse to wear a mask, sometimes we find that even people sometimes refuse to wash or sanitize their hands … people just need to don’t realize this threat is real, don’t ignore it, ”warned Nurse Rampersaud.
Looking forward to the post-COVID-19 days
Most of us look forward to the days of post-COVID-19. Perhaps, the world, as we knew it, can even go back to normal. But Nurse Rampersaud believes that a worldwide recovery from COVID-19 will take some time and the lessons of COVID-19 will be eternal.
“I think we might end it, but I think there are a few more steps we need to take before we get out of it. And as I’ve been saying throughout that phase everyone will include everyone. COVID-19 has taught us that we need to appreciate the small things, because apart from being able to spend more time with our families, this pandemic has taught us that health is very important and that people are now take their health more seriously, because, many took hygiene for granted, ”added Nurse Rampersaud.