Frontline Doctor Misses Baby
“Seeing people calling out for help every now and then it’s really one of the motivations that keep us going. But I can say it’s really a challenge.”
Wednesday 04 August 2021 | 10:50
Frontline worker Dr Ilikini Naitini hopes his five-month-old son will grow up to understand the sacrifices his parents are doing.
Dr Naitini and his wife are both doctors and have been away from home for months since the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in April.
In a video interview with Volunteer First Responders, he said the last time he saw his son before he left home was when he was one-month-old.
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“I only spent one hour two weeks ago that’s when I got the chance to go and see him,” Dr Naitini said.
“Seeing people calling out for help every now and then it’s really one of the motivations that keep us going. But I can say it’s really a challenge.”
FEMAT Pre-hospital Emergency Retrieval Lead Lemeki Lenoa said their team of 36 frontline staff operate 24/7.
Ten staff are on rotation within the 165 Emergency Co-ordination Centre at the ANZ Stadium Corporate Box while the remaining crew rotate within the shifts.
They have a fleet of eight vehicles including ambulances and transfer vehicles which are used to transfer cases.
During surge moments, Mr Lenoa said the co-ordination centre can have calls occurring every 30 to 60 seconds at a time.
Whilst that is happening with the surge of calls, the team also coordinate and dispatch resources across all divisions.
Currently, their area of focus is within the Lami-Nausori corridor.
