As the fight against Covid-19 will be a long-drawn one, TODAY’s Voices section hopes to shine a light on the triumphs and struggles of Singapore’s front-line workers by publishing their first-hand accounts.

In this instalment of Voices from the Front Lines, Dr Clement Chia of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital writes about how he had to take charge of its Covid-19 ward in the last seven weeks.

The surge of Covid-19 infections among migrant workers in Singapore has resulted in the nation having Southeast Asia’s largest recorded outbreak.

With doctors stretched to the limit, there was an urgent need to reorganise the clinical workforce in our public hospitals.

As a consultant surgeon in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, I was tasked to lead a Covid-19 ward. When I first received news on April 7 of the redeployment, I was excited to contribute to the war against the pandemic, but had concerns regarding my unfamiliarity with Covid-19 medical issues.

Managing patients without blades is not a routine that most surgeons are familiar with, but I reminded myself that I would need to adapt nimbly and step out of my comfort zone.

My journey can be divided into three phases — preparatory, execution and sustenance.

In the preparatory phase, I had to ensure that every team member was proficient with the different personal protection equipment (PPE) protocols within the ward.

The ward is segregated into “cool”, “warm” and “hot” zones based on different levels of infection risk. Our PPE is also rationed based on the zone of the ward to ensure long-term sustainability.

The execution phase required us to perform our care duties efficiently, maximising each patient interaction.

I believe it is crucial to spend time to communicate and explain the patient’s progress to allay his anxiety and fears.

Every care activity in the ward, from diagnostic imaging to taking patients’ blood samples and swabs, are reviewed carefully to assess its impact on overall infection control efforts.

Then, there are the oft-mentioned challenges of retained heat and perspiration forming under the PPE.

I remember one humid morning when the ward was full. Towards the end of the ward round, perspiration had entered my eyes under my goggles, causing much discomfort. As I was seeing the last patient, I chose to endure the discomfort and complete the examination rather than change into a new set of PPE to conserve precious resources.

In the sustenance phase, my priority was the overall well-being and safety of my colleagues. Working in a high-stress environment in uncomfortable attire can lead to fatigue and psychological stress for healthcare workers.

I had to be mindful to ensure work scheduling was reasonable and everyone received sufficient rest. We also indulged in the occasional “morale booster” by ordering bubble tea or donuts to celebrate the end of an uneventful work week.

I believe many healthcare workers in Singapore who are called to perform duties outside of their normal peacetime work can relate to my experience.

As a surgeon, leading a Covid-19 ward without blades demonstrates a willingness to adapt and serve our patients.

Despite the ongoing crisis, a silver lining during this challenging period is the friendship, trust and camaraderie that I had forged with my fellow colleagues in the Covid-19 ward. I will remember this precious experience for many years to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr Clement Chia, 36, is a consultant at the Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. He was in charge of a Covid-19 ward in the hospital from April 13 to May 31, before returning to normal surgical duties.

If you are on the front lines of the Covid-19 outbreak or know someone who wishes to contribute to this series, write to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.