“Our ambulance team brought 87 patients in one day to RSDC. Usually, at least six patients are transported a day,” the first woman ambulance driver of RSDC said during an online discussion organized by the COVID-19 task force to mark National Heroes' Day, here on Tuesday.
Ika Maharani is not just an ambulance driver. She has performed several other duties at the emergency hospital. As a graduate of a nursing academy in Surabaya, she is also serving as a nurse for COVID-19 patients who are transported by ambulance.
As the number of COVID-19 volunteers is limited, she said she felt the need to learn other skills such as those of an ambulance technician so she could check any issues with the vehicle herself.
She said her children reside in Ternate, North Maluku province, Sulawesi Island, and she often contacts her family via cellphone. She admitted that she misses them very much, but due to her professional obligations and health protocols, she has not been able to meet her family members personally until now.
"I am on duty one day and the other day (is) off. When I am off, I call my family and children. Before going on duty, (I also) keep them informed that I am healthy," she said.
She recalled that her mother had questioned her decision to volunteer for COVID-19 efforts in Jakarta. But, after she explained the strict volunteer protocols and the obligation of nurses to not be picky with patients, her mother finally gave her permission.
"At first I didn't expect it, (as I was) waiting for my graduation. (Then) I noticed that Jakarta was affected by the pandemic. (I felt) If (I do) not (go to the center of the pandemic to stop it), this will keep spreading, so I registered to become a volunteer. I never thought that I would act not only as a nurse helping in the patient evacuation process, but also be an ambulance driver. That's a challenge for me," she said.
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Translator: Anom Prihantoro, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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