LETTER: Since the start of the pandemic 18 months ago, globally, at least 115,000 healthcare workers have paid the ultimate price in the service of others, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) chief said.
They have died from Covid-19 virus. Many more will. Despite the portrayal as hero, superhuman or angel, healthcare workers are very much human. Have you worked, stayed, eaten with or walked along with them? Do we understand their plights and predicaments?
How do we address their fears and worries about employment, job security and future? This is the situation that 23,077 contract medical doctors, 5,000 dentists and 7,139 pharmacists are facing at the moment.
We may not have the slightest idea on how they cope with the uncertainties. If you have the privilege of working with some of them, as young as they are, junior doctors equally diligent, eager to learn, taking their duty seriously, savvy and resilient.
Their contribution is immense and invaluable to the system. If we cannot find the way out then we don't deserve their toil, sweat and tears. They are our fellow colleagues, children, brothers and sisters willing to serve, putting up own lives at frontline.
So let's stop the polemic here and get the job done. Whereas many countries are practically begging due to the severe shortage of healthcare workers, here we see them as glut.
Be very careful when in free market economy to say we don't owe anyone a job because you may never know who you will owe your life to in the end. At this crucial time we only have and must support each other. No matter how dark the day is, medicine can only work with hope.
CHEAH C.F