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NDP 2020: Red Lions descend on heartlands as nation salutes frontline workers

SINGAPORE — As the Red Lions landed gracefully amid crowds of excited spectators, cheers and claps rang out in the heartlands of Sengkang and Jurong East on Sunday (Aug 9) morning.

The Red Lions descending on the field near Ng Teng Fong General Hospital on National Day, Aug 9, 2020.

The Red Lions descending on the field near Ng Teng Fong General Hospital on National Day, Aug 9, 2020.

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  • Six parachutists landed on field near Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, another six near Sengkang General Hospital
  • Mobile column rolled past Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, NTFGH, SKH and community isolation facility at Singapore Expo
  • During the parade at the Padang, frontliners received salute in front of the guard of honour contingent

 

SINGAPORE — As the Red Lions landed gracefully amid crowds of excited spectators, cheers and claps rang out in the heartlands of Sengkang and Jurong East on Sunday (Aug 9) morning.

Apart from excited shutterbugs that hailed from all corners of Singapore to catch a glimpse of the action, another group of people eagerly awaited the arrival of the 12 parachutists — six at each location — by grass fields near Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) and Sengkang General Hospital (SKH).

“It was truly a grand moment to see them land so close to us,” said Ms Annabelle Johnson, a dietician at NTFGH.

Shortly after their landing, the Red Lions saluted the groups of healthcare workers from these hospitals as a tribute to frontliners who over the past few months have stepped forward in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Johnson, 26, has been deployed to run medical posts in two foreign worker dormitories — Westlite Toh Guan Dormitory and Toh Guan Dormitory — since April when the number of coronavirus cases in dormitories rose rapidly.

“We’ve been there every single day since April. On weekends, even on public holidays NTFGH staff are there to provide help to these men,” said Ms Johnson, adding that swabbing for the virus is also done at the post.

Ms Johnson told TODAY after the tribute that the recognition from the Red Lions made her feel that she has been able to “make a difference”.

“I’ve always looked up to people in the front line defence but with Covid-19, we have also become part of the front line. It was very touching to see that moment where they give us a salute. It made me feel included and appreciated.

“I’ve never been more proud than in this moment to be a healthcare worker and don healthcare scrubs,” she said.

Dietician Annabelle Johnson (third from right) and senior staff nurse Audrey Chia (second from right) were among the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital staff who were saluted by the Red Lions. Photo: Natasha Meah/TODAY

Senior staff nurse at NTFGH Audrey Chia, 29, said that the tribute will serve as a form of encouragement to healthcare staff.

“The fight against Covid-19 can feel never-ending and lonely for us because the situation doesn’t feel like it’s getting better. Numbers are consistently high. So seeing this appreciation, we don’t feel so alone anymore. We feel recognised,” she said.

In the second part of the tribute to frontliners, the mobile column, which made its way into the heartlands for the second year in a row, rolled past several key locations like Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, SKH, NTFGH and the community isolation facility at Singapore Expo.

Physiotherapist Hariz Razali was part of the group of frontliners who rode in the mobile column vehicles. Photo: Tessa Oh/TODAY

Mr Hariz Razali, 28, who is a physiotherapist at SKH, was one of the healthcare workers aboard the mobile column vehicle, receiving applause and cheers from residents standing on the sidewalks and rooftops of parking lots.

As a frontline worker, Mr Hariz helped to rehabilitate Covid-19 patients from the isolation ward before they are discharged back home.

It was a memorable moment for him when the vehicles stopped outside SKH and the group of frontliners were asked to stand and receive a tribute from the crowd.

“I felt like a celebrity,” said Mr Hariz. “I’m so glad to be part of the celebrations because it gives me a sense that our efforts as healthcare workers have been recognised and that we have this newfound respect from the public”.

“We have been working tirelessly for the past few months… When all this is over I hope we can look back on this day and it will be a reminder of how all of us stood together as one to counter the Covid-19 pandemic”.

The Red Lions team in Sengkang taking a photo with residents. Photo: Samuel Woo/TODAY [Captured with Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G]

Though lab technologist Simon Tey was not part of the mobile column contingent, he still enjoyed seeing the vehicles roll by as he and his fellow healthcare workers at SKH watched from the hospital.

“Seeing them gives me a lot of confidence and pride as a Singaporean that we are protected by these people,” said the 35-year-old, who was part of the group who received salutes from the Red Lions.

Mr Tey said he felt very honoured to receive the tributes and salutes, especially from the Red Lions who he used to salute back in his National Service days.

During the parade at the Padang, frontline workers also stepped forward in front of the guard of honour contingent to receive a salute.

Healthcare workers being presented with a board with messages of gratitude outside Sengkang General Hospital on Aug 9, 2020. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong/TODAY

Among them was Ms Nirmala Nair, 62, a nurse at Ang Mo Kio polyclinic, who spoke to TODAY after a chat with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who greeted the workers before leaving.

“He thanked us a lot and I thanked him more. I think we all fought the battle together and it still goes on,” said Ms Nirmala who has been a nurse for 40 years.

Asked what she felt about the salute to the frontliners, Ms Nirmala said: “All frontliners are unsung heroes… and today (we) have been recognised. We have a lot of people who are quietly working behind the scenes, but always never been projected upfront.”

She added that she is proud to be one of many who have been keeping the country safe and looks forward to continuing to play her part. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JUSTIN ONG

Related topics

NDP2020 Red Lions frontline workers Covid-19 coronavirus

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