#trending: Netizens praise KKH healthcare staff after dozens seen responding swiftly to medical emergency outside hospital

SINGAPORE — Online users are showering praise on the medical staff members of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), after dozens of them were filmed responding swiftly to a medical emergency outside of the hospital building.

A short clip posted on the Instagram account “sgfollowsall” last Friday (Feb 3) shows several medical workers clad in different uniforms rushing out of the hospital and crowding around the scene of the emergency next to the main road. Some staff members were also seen pushing and carrying various medical equipment down a ramp. 

It is not clear from the video who or what kind of medical emergency it is.

An unidentified bystander who shared the clip with “sgfollowsall” explained In the video’s caption that she was on the way home after an appointment when she overheard an announcement calling for help over the hospital’s public address system.

She said that she did not know what happened but hoped “all will be good” for a woman in need of help.

“I can really feel the spirit of humanity when doctors and medical staff all came running from everywhere, 40 plus staff, bringing so many things just to help save one person,” she said.

“Good job to all the medical staff of KKH. May God bless all of you in (the video).” 

The clip has since been widely shared on various social media platforms. Viewers were impressed by the dedication shown by the medical workers and expressed gratitude towards those who rushed to render help.

One user wrote: “They asked for help on the (public address system) and this happened. It shows our nurses here are committed and passionate about their work.”

Another said: “Respect these hospital personnel. They help without second thoughts. Any life is worth saving, worth their attention. No seconds wasted.”

A handful of people questioned why such a large number of people were needed to attend to one person.

One asked: “No patients inside? All so free run out.”

Someone commented: “40 of them. A few rendering assistance, the rest are just (being busybodies).”

However, many users spoke up in defence of the medical workers.

A top comment that has received more than 800 likes read: “If hospital staff respond to a code blue with the mindset of ‘nevermind, I don't need to go, confirm other people will go’, then no one will attend, stupid.”

Responding to TODAY’s queries, KKH said that the hospital’s emergency response team was alerted to a member of the public in need of medical attention at about 3.30pm last Friday. 

“Our team immediately responded and promptly stabilised the medical condition of this member of the public. Due to its proximity to KKH, many of our colleagues were at the location where the incident occurred. The timing of the incident also coincided with the time when our colleagues were changing shifts.”

KKH also said that it has in place a 24-hour emergency response protocol where a dedicated multidisciplinary team is on standby to respond to emergency code activations in the hospital immediately.