By Nor Zakiah Senin
Father was bedridden for more than a year. Yet we were blessed to have a younger sibling who willingly cared for him day and night.
On weekends, the rest of us who worked would take turns to visit, easing our sibling’s burden for a while.
There was a time when Father could no longer eat. His condition was so frail it worried us deeply. He could only swallow a sip or two of water.
As evening approached, my sibling called the rural clinic, about 20 minutes away. As always, a doctor and medical assistant arrived promptly to examine him.
The doctor said gently, “Pak Cik needs fluids. In this condition, it’s better not to move him to the hospital. It would be too hard on him. Let us do what we can here first.”
They left, but soon after, the medical assistant returned with equipment to administer fluids. Once it was done, he told my sibling, “Kak, when the fluids run out, just call me — no matter the hour. I’ll come to replace them.”
After the evening prayers, my sibling checked the drip. It was still flowing, so she set her phone alarm for 2 a.m., expecting it might finish then.
She then fell asleep. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, followed by a greeting.
She rushed up — it was 3 a.m.! The alarm hadn’t gone off. “Who is it?” she asked before opening the door. “It’s me, the MA (medical assistant), Kak.”
Shocked, she opened it at once. “I knew you’d be tired… I was on standby anyway,” he said with a smile.
Alhamdulillah. We were truly fortunate to receive the care of the staff at the Batu 4 Health Clinic in Sungai Lembing — ever ready, regardless of time or circumstance.
Father’s needs were handled with dignity and gentleness: from cleaning his diabetic wounds to replacing his catheter on schedule.
Whenever advice was needed, they gave clear guidance. In emergencies, they acted swiftly, without hesitation.
Though it has been nine years since Father left us, we remain deeply moved and grateful for the service they gave.
This is the translation of goodness into action — responsibility carried with sincerity, meeting patients’ needs with integrity. It may seem small in the eyes of the world, but for those in need, it is immense.
Perhaps it cannot be compared to soldiers risking their lives in battle, yet these hands gave new breath to those fighting for theirs. Their service was pure, their kindness noble, bringing light and hope even in quiet corners far from the spotlight.
Such goodness will always be cherished, remembered, and kept alive in the prayers of those who once felt its touch.
To all the employees of Batu 4 Health Clinic in Sungai Lembing, Pahang — may Allah continue to grant you strength and sincerity in serving the rural community, and reward you with happiness in this world and the hereafter.
(My reflections on volunteerism — a principle close to my heart — are also shared in my book Suka Rela Sukar Lawan, published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 2024. For inquiries, contact zakiahsenin@gmail.com
Nor Zakiah Senin is a volunteer with Yayasan SALAM Malaysia, an NGO dedicated to volunteerism in Malaysia for over 30 years.