Sisters Pray For Mum

Maca Tabuaciri Vutaga, 49, a ward assistant at the Lautoka Hospital had already prepared her family and herself before the Lautoka Hospital lockdown this week.

Daughters, Virisila and Alumita Vutaga said when they received news of the hospital lockdown, they were not surprised as their mother had already told them of this possibility and what to expect.

Older daughter, Virisila said her mother left home on Wednesday morning, mentioning the possibility of a lockdown.

She said they had been praying for her safety.

She said they thought it would be like the other days when their mother would say lockdown but nothing happened.

“She would always take two days’ change of clothes,” Virisila said.

Alumita said her mother became very cautious when a COVID-19 patient was being isolated at the Lautoka Hospital.

“Obviously being in the hospital and seeing the atmosphere, they all knew that the hospital would go on lockdown,” Alumita said.

“She had started taking her change but on Wednesday she called and asked us to bring more clothes for 14 days and her beddings. We dropped it near the botanical garden.”

She said her mother had notified her that medical staff were using the waiting room for the maternity unit to sleep. Food was provided.

Alumita urged those with loved ones in quarantine to have more faith in the health sector and frontline workers.

“Stay home and don’t fuss about going to them because it’s for your own safety, COVID-19 is dangerous, people are dying”.

Edited by Losirene Lacanivalu

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