SUNGAI BULOH: At Sungai Buloh Hospital, which is the National Hospital for Infectious Diseases, it is not just doctors, nurses and other support staff that are depended on to keep operations running.
The team of security guards have been busy keeping a watchful eye on patients making their way into the compound, as part of a concerted effort to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic.
Outside the emergency and trauma ward, security guard Sivapackiam Shanmugam, 46, is on her feet for hours on end during her work shift as she constantly walks about to ensure uninterrupted reception of patients.
"I'm a local of Sungai Buloh and have been living here almost all my life. Before working as a security guard here, I was a grass cutter at the Kelab Rahman Putra Golf & Country Club for 27 years, together with my husband.
"The security company that I work for provides more than 50 security guards to the hospital and we are rotated on 12-hour shifts from 7am to 7pm and from 7pm to 7am seven days a week.
"Some may think that such a job is easy but in reality, it is not as this is a government hospital and not a warehouse or building. There are all sorts of people who come in and out, every day.
"It is our duty to make sure that only those who have valid reason are allowed to enter and be here, such as those who work here or patients who require medical attention."
Sivapackiam said, among others, the guards had to ensure the adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOP) among patients and visitors.
"We also make sure that the public follow all the necessary rules and SOP while they are here such as wearing face masks, sanitising their hands, taking body temperature readings, practise physical distancing and scanning the MySejahtera app."
Despite her warm and friendly disposition, Sivapackiam is firm in upholding the rules when necessary.
And as long as she performed the tasks to the best of her abilities, the day would end well on a high note.
"I love working here at the hospital even though right now it is the main hospital for treating Covid-19 patients, especially the serious cases.
"The role we play as security guards may go unnoticed, but we take pride in what we do because we are contributing towards the hospital being able to function, receive and treat so many patients every day.
"The hospital's staff are all very exhausted as they have been working non-stop under extremely strenuous conditions and demands, so we are glad to help in any way apart from doing our usual job."
She has nothing but praise and admiration for the hospital's staff.
"They are all warm, friendly, approachable and helpful, and they appreciate what we do in keeping the hospital grounds safe."
As one of the frontliners, Sivapackiam, who is a mother of three, would do the necessary before returning home from work as she would not want to put her family at risk of contracting Covid-19.
"My husband has kidney problems and therefore, is unable to work.
"I also take extra precautions before returning home as I do not want to put my children, and especially my husband, at risk of infection.
"I am not in good health as well as I have been diagnosed with thyroid and back problems, but since my husband is in a far worse shape, I decided to work and earn a living for us.
"I like where I work and am relieved to have such good colleagues around me. That gives me the added motivation to come to work daily."
Sivapackiam said that she prayed every day for Malaysians to band together and adhere to the SOP, as she has seen more than enough pain, heartache, despair and grief at the hospital.
"If people could see, hear and experience what I have here at the hospital since the pandemic broke early last year, I'm sure everyone will abide by the rules and do whatever it takes to get rid of the virus once and for all."