Thousands of public hospital workers in Hong Kong took part in a five-day strike earlier this month to urge Chief Executive Carrie Lam to immediately close all border crossings with the mainland.
However, negotiations broke down when Lam refused to attend.
Ms Chau* is one of the supporters of the strikes.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam attends a press conference in Hong Kong Source: AAP
She told SBS Cantonese that she was “angry and disappointed” that the government is turning a deaf ear to the appeal.
“I totally understand the anger and frustration of my colleagues. They are not asking for any pay rise or subsidy but only seek basic things. I support the movement.”
She said she was worried that if border remains open to mainland travelers, frontline hospital workers would be put at risk.
“Refusal in total border shutdown would heighten the burden of the already heavy medical system. We are not able to accommodate so many patients in quarantine. It will only be like sending us to death.”
She pointed out that in spite of the allocation of resources to hospitals, the lack of precautionary materials in some public hospitals imply the protection of frontline staff is very limited.
Source: RTHK
"Some patients did not wear masks when they were sent to the operating room. There was a lack of gear in the hospital, not even mentioned in the nursing ward. Some patients have to bring their own use”.
She pointed out if colleagues from non-emergency units went on strike, they were able to reserve resources such as surgical masks, N95 masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to those in need.
The government must block visitors from the mainland as soon as possible. This is of the utmost importance.
Volunteer SARS doctor Joanna Tse died of virus. Source: Wikipedia
At that time, Ms. Chau was working in Tuen Mun Hospital where 35-year-old volunteer doctor Joanna Yuen Man Tse infected and became the first public hospital doctor to die of the virus in Hong Kong.
“The Operating Room was recruited by Cardiac ICU to take care of critically ill patients. I made up my mind to volunteer because of my religious beliefs. Fortunately, my husband supported my decision.”
To avoid further community outbreak, the nurse dormitory of Tuen Mun Hospital had been converted into a temporary dormitory for high-risk medical staff.
She encouraged Hong Kong people must work together and overcome the challenge.
* Not her real name.
