Our Heroes: PM
PM Bainimarama says 300 doctors, nurses, disciplined forces and healthcare staff –– our frontline soldiers inside the Suva lockdown.
Saturday 04 April 2020 | 08:40
Nurses on the frontline against COVID-19 (from left) Sera Lusio, Taouea Tita and Sera Saro at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva on April 3, 2020. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
As residents hunkered down for the Suva lockdown, which started on Thursday night, Police officers and health workers had a few hours to pack their bags, say goodbye to their families and headed for their areas of operation.
Last night, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama hailed these 300 men and women as frontline heroes in the fight against COVID-19.
Some of these essential workers live outside of the confined area, but work in Suva, others live in Suva and work outside the confined area.
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They had to move to their new accommodation prepared by their line ministries before the 5am lockdown came into effect yesterday.
Colonial War Memorial Hospital theatre manager, Sera Saro, left behind her three sons and husband at their Vusuya home.
“I was a bit emotional last night when I left my family knowing that I will be away from them for two weeks and not knowing for how long,” she said.
“But I’m thankful to the Ministry and Government for providing us with good accommodation – we are happy with the accommodation. It feels like home.”
Ms Saro checked on her sons at least four times during the day, yesterday.
“It’s tough, but we all have a passion for our work and we just need to discuss things properly at home. And as long as our families are understanding of the situation, everything will be alright.”
Nurse Taou Ea Tita, who lives in Korovou, had to leave behind two kids.
“It’s hard for me to leave my kids behind for such a long time. But this is something we have to do.”
Last night, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama hailed these men and women as ‘heroes’.
“These heroes –– our doctors, nurses, disciplined forces and healthcare staff –– are our frontline soldiers in Fiji’s war against the coronavirus.
“Day in and day out, they don their gowns, face masks and goggles, in isolation wards, hospitals and fever clinics, putting the lives and wellbeing of others before their own in the campaign to lock down coronavirus.”
He said our essential workers were the heroes we needed in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
“They are the true most valuable players on team Fiji. They deserve more than our gratitude, they deserve every measure of our vigilance and discipline in our daily lives to stop the spread of this virus.”
Health workers on the frontline of COVID-19 response at the CWM Hospital on April 2, 2020. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga
(Additional reporting by Kelera Sovasiga).
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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