Revised mask-wearing requirements at our Medical Centre and Hospital

Hasan Monoaroul

Hasan MD Monoaroul, Marketing Executive

Hasan MD Monoaroul was working from home as usual on April 15 when an emergency call brought him back to the Hospital – to be an interpreter. That day, we received the first batch of COVID-19 patients. 

"They were anxious when they arrived at the Hospital; they were not sure what was going to happen or what to expect. They had little or no education. Though we had the printed handouts, they were only in English and Chinese. Among the nurses, no one could communicate in Bengali. It was challenging settling the patients in at that time," Hasan recounted.

Using the phone from the nursing station, Hasan explained to each of them the guidelines that they have to follow while staying at the Hospital; requesting for their cooperation with the nurses and doctors on duty who will be providing the care. “The only thing that kept me going was to calm them down to stabilize the situation,” he added.

Besides being the ward interpreter, Hasan also went on to translate the printed handouts into Bengali. "I did all the translation and proof reading using my phone as the materials were needed urgently," he said. He was very meticulous in the process; having to consider patients’ literacy level and the contextual meaning in healthcare terms. “Otherwise, they will not understand," he added.

Hasan hails from Bangladesh and has been working in Singapore before joining the Hospital in August 2016. 

His heartfelt consideration for the patients were further shown when he approached the Bangladesh Business Chamber of Singapore (BD Chamb) for the donation of prayer mats and dates for some of the patients who were fasting during the month of Ramadan in May.

"It started because one of the patients expressed his wish to have a prayer mat and to properly break his fast with dates. After discussing with my manager, Ms. Mardiany, I reached out to my contacts to secure the donation," he said. He also coordinated the purchase of new shirts by BD Cham and Agrani Exchange House for the discharged patients; as many came to the Hospital with no fresh change of clothes.

These days, Hasan is covering duties at the swabbing test areas or at screening stations. When asked what kept him going, he replied "it is knowing that I was able to do good for others.”

Meet our other Heroes

Staff Nurse Marnel Nara, 
Assistant Nurse Clinician Sally Chan Yoke Lan,
Staff Nurse Aubrey Avendano,

IPS9

“We were the first ward to be chosen as a COVID-19 ward. Though we have cared for airborne patients in the ward, many of us were quite fearful.”

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Eric Tan Hoon Phong, 
Ravindran S/O Perumal,
Raymond Low Boon Kong,

Security

“As long as everyone is good and well taken care of, that’s what matters most.” 

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