CAPE TOWN- In the frontline of Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of South Africans are continuing to provide essential services to the public, combating the outbreak, and providing help to those in need.
Some of these frontline heroes have been recognised by Tygerberg Hospital with its "Hero Amoungst Us" campaign which highlights an official’s achievements, abilities or personal qualities during the Covod-19 pandemic. In the eyes of hospital staff, the person can is regarded as a role model or ideal.
This week’s nominated hero is Jonathan Abrahams, an operator at the Pneumatic Tube Station. Abrahams and his colleagues receive and dispatch blood specimens to the correct laboratories for analysing. They also ensure the availability of tubes to all departments.
“I easily adapt to any situation, department or environment where I am working. I want to make a difference and rub off positivity in this challenging time of Covid-19 and bring hope to people around me," said Abrahams, who lives in Nooitgedacht, Bishop Lavis.
Throughout the pandemic, Abrahams says his motivation to come to work every day is making a difference by being positive in his work area.
“With COVID-19 I came to realise that no matter how much money you have, you cannot buy health. During this lockdown I realise that people come first, and my joy and pleasure comes from doing the things I love. I come to work with a positive frame of mind which will eventually rub off on the people around me. When I engage with people, I make use of the opportunity to change that person’s life even if it is for just a moment," he said.
Abrahams says he is appreciative of the support of hospital management as they have been trying their utmost to implement ways to make it easier for the staff and public in this difficult time.
"I want to know that when people will speak about their experience at Tygerberg Hospital they must say, yes Covid-19 was tough but I am glad I was treated there and not any other hospital. My place of work, Tygerberg Hospital must be the silver lining to a not so good experience,” he said.
The pandemic has given people an opportunity to really learn about ourselves, family and colleagues, says Abrahams, and while the Covid-19 outbreak has been a hard lesson learnt for all, it has also enabled people to do some introspection.
“Everything that happened so far has happened for a reason. Covid-19 is, unfortunately, a reality. To patients and my colleagues out there, Covid-19 will have its challenges, disadvantages and even death, but we must be positive. Once we make it out of the storm, we must then live a meaningful life and have positive interactions with all people around us,” he concluded.
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