COMMENT | From the frontlines in Tawau, Sabah

COMMENT | Sabah is the state with the highest number of cumulative Covid-19 cases in Malaysia since March 2020.

Through the multiple waves of the pandemic, frontliners and healthcare workers in Sabah, especially the east coast region consisting of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, and Lahad Datu, have been withstanding the rampaging hits 24/7 with all our hearts, our souls, our mind, and our strengths.

Serving on amidst this seemingly dark, distressing age, the frontliners shine on like beacons through unforgiving nights, instilling hope, calmness, and probably a sense of direction among the local community, fittingly and in accordance with the Revised Declaration of Genova: “I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity; the health and well-being of my patients will be my first consideration.”

The health and well-being of our patients have always been prioritised within our best capabilities. We may not be the most resourced, yet we may be among the most resourceful. Resource management has been exceptionally challenging, yet painstakingly optimised since the first day of the coronavirus outbreak.

Hospital Tawau, being the only public hospital with specialists in the entire Tawau, extends our coverage across other moderately distant districts (Semporna and Kunak). As the daily numbers of new cases and cumulative active cases spike while the bed numbers and human resources remain finite, our healthcare burden and workload multiply as well...