While healthcare workers continue to take care and tend to those who visit their hospitals for various reasons, including cases related to Covid-19, who takes care of them?
The Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU) has taken on the task of making sure they get some care too. They have begun distributing HSEU care packs to all public healthcare institutions (PHI).
On 25 February 2020, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Koh Poh Koon and union representatives at Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s (TTSH) Centre for Healthcare Innovation gave out the HSEU care packs to nurses, patient service associates, security officers, food & beverage services staff, as well as clinical lab technicians.
President of HSEU K Thanaletchimi said: “From preparing the items to packing and distribution, this project would not have been possible if not for the generous contributions of our sponsors, unions, NTUC as well as for the time and efforts of our community of volunteers.
“Our appreciation goes to our healthcare management partners for facilitating the distribution to our healthcare workers. Such collective effort in the face of challenges brought on by COVID-19 reflects the importance for all of us to rally together and stand united against this situation.”
Volunteers from the union and nEbO packed the 3,000 HSEU care packs on 22 February 2020, ready for distribution to all public healthcare institutions (PHIs) and in a show of support to healthcare workers.
Reaching Out To All Public Healthcare Hospitals
The rest of the 3,000 HSEU care packs will be delivered by this week to the other PHIs – Alexandra Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital and Sengkang General Hospital. The branch leaders at individual PHIs will work with the management to further distribute the packs to the workers.
Each HSEU care pack contains a variety of items provided by sponsors through HSEU. The items include hand sanitisers, muscle patch, medicated oil, snacks and beverages, foot gel, body foam and toothbrush.
The care packs are part of HSEU’s ongoing efforts to uplift the spirits of healthcare workers, some of whom have been facing instances of being shunned in public places.
