Our Frontline Worker of the Week is… Hospital Attendant, Adonijah Naraine

Aug 01, 2021 News

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“You think a lot of things, but I never one day feel as though I will get sick, I does just pray. Every life that come there and you assist with it, at least God giving you an opportunity to assist and I am not sitting back and doing nothing. That is what I like about the work, because you feel like you are somebody, valuable and important.”

By Malisa Playter-Harry

Kaieteur News – In countries, which were subjected to lockdowns, many employed persons were forced to remain home and eventually turn their homes into their new work spaces. Individuals had to adapt to the new way of working from home and communicating with their respective institutions using technology. But not all employees got that opportunity. Health care workers like a few other professionals were classified as essential workers; they had to render their services as per norm and even overtime as the need arose. As hospitals and quarantine sites became overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases in Guyana, those in the medical system were those who wore their PPE like a cape, as they helped to save lives.

Today, they are held in the highest regard because of the tireless and selfless work, which they put in to saving lives while sacrificing so much.
We see frontline workers every day, but we don’t always recognise their importance and one category of such essential workers is the attendant.
Today, we will shine some light on just such an essential worker. Attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice is Adonijah Naraine of St. John Street, New Amsterdam. He has been working on the Region’s COVID-19 Taskforce as an attendant and has been employed at the institution for two years. While still fairly new to the health system, Naraine has taken on his role and responsibility with passion since he considers the job he does as extremely critical during these times.
Naraine explained that prior to the pandemic, he was unemployed but heard about existing vacancies at the health institution. He said he applied and the position for an attendant was the only job available at the time.
“They called me and told me it was the only work it had and they asked me if I want it and if I frighten and so on and I tell them no problem. I wasn’t scared or worried, I just use to keep good prayers and just stay focused, protecting myself and so,” Naraine said.
He added that while his job is sometimes challenging, he has developed a love for it. Naraine is responsible for aiding patients who would have tested positive for COVID and he also ensures that there is enough oxygen available to those patients who are kept for two weeks in the Transition Unit building located in the compound of the New Amsterdam Hospital.

He noted, “it’s challenging knowing you have to get up for a job that you know you are exposed to the virus and the possibility exists to contract the virus. But other than that, it is good because I enjoy every bit of work I do. I get to learn to care for elderly people and do stuff for them so when I am at work, I am very much happy, God knows it,” Naraine said. He said there is a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction knowing that he assists in some way, while stressing that he never pictured himself being a part of the health system but “I got the job and I fell in love with it.”
A typical day for Naraine begins with him turning up for work on his shift and upon arrival, he is required to equip himself with protective gears to face incoming patients who tested positive for the virus. He wears two masks, a face shield, long boots, gown and doubled gloves when handling the patients who cannot walk on their own.
“You think a lot of things, but I never one day feel as though I will get sick, I does just pray. Every life that come there and you assist with it, at least God giving you an opportunity to assist and I am not sitting back and doing nothing. That is what I like about the work, because you feel like you are somebody, valuable and important,” said Naraine with pride.
Our featured frontline worker, who is a father to a three-year-old, said that while he has never contracted the virus, he still takes all the necessary precautions before he returns home to his son and his mother (who suffers from asthma).
“I does gear up when I am out of my house, I am very protective,” he said.
He said that while there are two other attendants on the taskforce, everyone works as a team and family as they look out for each other.
“My job is very important, I can wake up and go to work fine and next thing you hear, I have the virus, we are exposed just the same as doctors and nurses. We are all taking chances,” he said.
Naraine, who has also taken his first jab of the Sputnik Vaccine, is urging persons to make the informed decision to get vaccinated. He is also calling on persons to continue following the COVID-19 guidelines.

 

 

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