Hi Folks

Yes I know what you are thinking.
SARS happened a few years back.

It was indeed a national catastrophe
and to a certain extent a pandemic.

The book that was included in the orientation
package sparked my thoughts.

Was SARS a blessing in disguise for
the healthcare professionals in particular
the Nursing Profession in Singapore?

Racing back in time, it was in 2003 and
I was Secondary 4 then having “O” Levels.

As students, we are secretly happy because
school was closed for a couple of weeks because
of SARS.

We read about reports how some public
and even taxi drivers shun nurses and
the healthcare team.

And yet after the whole situation,
the nurses and healthcare team are
brought into the limelight. Honoured
by the society and to an extent changed
people’s perspectives.

Are you getting it?

Think about it….
Who is the LARGEST employee population in
hospitals?

Answer: NURSES!!

To simplify even further for you:
In a ward setting:

Each shift there are about 6-7 nurses
and only a handful of doctors actually
based in the ward or on call.

Not to mention in highly acute settings like
the ICU..

It is 1 to 1 ratio of nurse to patient.

Back on track, sars was a blessing in
disguise for the healthcare profession.

And at the same time, it was a lesson
for the nation to be vigilant at all times.

What do you think?

That’s about it for this post.

Take care!
JY Chia

P.S: SARS a blessing in disguise for the
healthcare profession?

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