SERDANG – The raya takbir could be heard at 8.15 am in D Hall of the Integrated Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centre of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (PKRC Integrated MAEPS 2.0).
It was recited together with the staff on duty at PKRC and the Muslim Covid-19 patients.
Although they cannot celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha with their beloved family members, the patients seized the opportunity to perform the Aidiladha prayer together.
An observation by MalaysiaGazette found that the patients could not contain their sadness as they could not be with their family members during the festive season.
Nevertheless, they could not do anything as they need to get their treatment at the PKRC.
The senior citizens were among the most emotional group as they cannot be with their children and grandchildren.
Siti Zaleha Uda, 69, expressed her mixed feelings thinking about the risk of her family members contracting Covid-19 after she was tested positive recently.
PIX: SYAFIQ AMBAK / MalaysiaGazette / 20 JULY 2021
Furthermore, she felt sad thinking of her husband who has been put to sleep at the University Malaya Medical Center after he was tested positive recently.
“It I sad. My husband is in the hospital. I am here. The children are at home. I can only wait for the time to go home. My children told me that their father has been ‘put to sleep’ after 12 days of treatment at the hospital,” she said.
Samsiah Safar, 61, could not hold her sadness as she has been separated from her children and grandchildren for the first time after she was taken to the PKRC five days ago.
PIX: SYAFIQ AMBAK / MalaysiaGazette / 20 JULY 2021
However, for her own health and in order not to infect other people, she needs to maintain a positive attitude so that she can recover faster from Covid-19.
“It is sad. I have never been apart from my children and grandchildren before this but it is God’s will. I need to accept that. My health is getting better here,” she added.
On the other hand, Abdul Aziz Basri,70, wants to remain positive despite having to spend the festive season at the PKRC today.
PIX: SYAFIQ AMBAK / MalaysiaGazette / 20 JULY 2021
To him, the Covid-19 patients at the quarantine centre need not be sad as the staff from the Ministry of Health truly understand how they feel and are always trying to cheer them up.
“The food is good here. The service is also very good. I feel better here compared to my own village,” he said.
According to him, although the MOH staff need to work during the festive season throughout the two years, they are able to control their emotions.
The frontliners are also able to cheer the patients and provide them with a good service, he said. –MalaysiaGazette
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