Recent news of thousands becoming infected with COVID-19 in migrant worker dormitories suggests the situation is out of hand in such places, and most can only imagine how frightening it is to live there.
But a team of medical workers from the Sengkang General Hospital was determined to uplift the spirits of dorm residents with an encouraging speech that has gone viral since yesterday.
“We will take care of you. You have done your part for Singapore, you have built the buildings we live in, you have built the roads we travel upon, your contribution to Singapore is enormous,” a doctor named Muntasir can be heard in saying in Bengali in the clip.
“You are one of us and we will take care of you. Be strong, be confident, drive away your fears. We are here for you. Sengkang General Hospital is here for you,” he added.
The minute-plus clip has been shared more than 3,000 times on Facebook. It is not clear where it was filmed. Someone responding via call at the hospital said they could not say where it occurred.
While some of us may be in the comfort of our homes with our families, many of our foreign workers are battling fear of the unknown and isolation in the dormitories.
Sometimes, all it takes when you are going through a crisis is for someone to assure you that they know what you are going through and are “here for you”. And that’s what our doctors and our medical team are doing at the dorms during this tumultuous period – not just to provide medical care but also reassurance and consolation to these foreign workers.
We share with you this video of one of our doctors addressing the Bangladeshi foreign workers at the dormitory.
A translation of his heartfelt message in English is provided below. It tugged at our heartstrings and we hope the workers felt it too.
Stay home. Keep safe. ❤️ #SGUnited
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Posted by Sengkang General Hospital on Sunday, 19 April 2020
Medical workers from the Sengkang General Hospital and those from the army have been providing medical services at migrant worker dormitories since April 10.
Based on translations made online, Muntasir told the workers not to panic, reassuring them that his team would provide necessary medical care. He also reminded them to adhere to safe-distancing rules.
The hospital also thanked the healthcare team for providing moral support.
“Here’s a huge shout-out to our healthcare team out at the dorms and at the hospital for battling exhaustion, myriad demands and their own personal fears to combat the virus and caring for all our patients during this challenging COVID-19 period,” a separate post on the hospital’s official page read.
“Sometimes, all it takes when you are going through a crisis is for someone to assure you that they know what you are going through and are ‘here for you.’ And that’s what our doctors and our medical team are doing at the dorms during this tumultuous period – not just to provide medical care but also reassurance and consolation to these foreign workers,” it added.
In the recent weeks, we have seen a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases propelled by a surge in infections among…
Posted by Sengkang General Hospital on Saturday, 18 April 2020
The video touched netizens, including Facebook user Janet Tan, who said it made her cry
“This video and the comments here moved Me to tears… Especially the medical teams… Their love , their sacrifices ,… words can’t be enough to thank u all . God protect all of you,” she wrote in the comments.
“Thank you healthcare workers! I pray for your safety, your family members and for all who is affected and fearful at the dorms- I cannot imagine what they are going through: away from home; unable to go out; in a small space. I will go berserk if I am in their shoes,” another named Xin Yuan said.
“I can only imagine how afraid and worried they are- they are here to make a living yet have to go through this difficult period without their loved ones around for them. We are here for you! Please trust our healthcare system and do your part to contain the virus from further spreading. God bless,” Cheryl Adela said.
Other stories you should check out:
Filthy, cramped dorms come to light as virus afflicts Singapore’s migrant workers
Pay it forward: Singaporeans urged to donate S$600 payouts to those who (really) need them
Singapore’s COVID-snitches harass and shame strangers in racially charged videos
MP put on blast for saying ‘it takes a virus’ to clear field of foreign workers
Singapore locks down 4th migrant worker dorm as new COVID-19 cases hit record high
Singapore reports massive surge in COVID-19 infections
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