The 89-year-old is among 256,678 patients who have recovered from Covid-19, which had claimed 1,076 lives in Malaysia as at yesterday.
“Pakcik K”, as he is fondly known, recalled his experience of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Melaka Hospital for 24 days as something the community should not take lightly given the severity of the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives.
As he was categorised to be in a high-risk group, his blood samples were taken daily and he had to take nine types of medicine in the mornings and evenings to ensure a smooth recovery.
He recalled that his “nightmare” started in December when 32 family members gathered in the village to celebrate the return of one of his grandchildren, who was married and lived in Negeri Sembilan, to Melaka when the interstate travel ban was lifted.
“One of my sons had just received a new son-in-law a few months earlier and we were unable to attend the wedding because of the interstate travel ban.
“Once the ban was lifted, we all agreed to welcome the arrival of the new family member at my house in Tanjung Kling, unaware that one of them had been infected with Covid-19,” he told Bernama.
Three days later, one of his children started having a fever and underwent Covid-19 screening before being confirmed positive for the virus, he said.
Following that, all his family members underwent screening with 10 of them, including himself, testing positive, while 18 others had to undergo self-quarantine.
“We were placed in several hospitals in the southern region, and I was admitted to the ICU of Melaka Hospital for more than three weeks because of old age and high blood pressure.
“In hospital, I was given nine types of medicine besides having a blood sample taken daily.
“It was a nerve-racking experience for me being in the high-risk category, apart from not being able to contact my family members who were worried about my condition,” he said.
Now fully recovered, Pak Cik K expressed gratitude that Malaysia had received the first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
“I can’t wait to receive the vaccine but I know there is a schedule that needs to be adhered to before it is my turn,” he said.
“What we must do before receiving the vaccine is to practise physical distancing, wear a face mask while outdoors and use hand sanitiser.
“After being admitted in hospital, once is enough,” he said.