Written by Jessica Bonnici
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit home, the Malta Medical Students’ Association received a number of requests from the health authorities to help out in various areas, both inside and outside Mater Dei Hospital.
MMSA accepted all these requests willingly and whole-heartedly as we felt it was our duty as medical students to contribute to this world-wide fight.
The response received from our medical students when these volunteering opportunities were shared with them was truly overwhelming and we asked some of them to share their volunteering experiences.
111 Helpline
Around 150 medical students here acted as 2nd line callers. They would receive details of people with a medical query, call them back and take a proper history. Then, after discussing with doctors, they would inform the person whether or not to go for a swabbing test and advise accordingly.
Once MMSA informed us of the possibility to volunteer at the helpline, I immediately signed up and offered to work as much as possible. I volunteered for many hours at the call centre and I even did a couple of night shifts. This experience gave me an opportunity to improve my communication and history taking skills, all while getting great satisfaction of helping out during such difficult times
Samuel Fleri Soler, 3rd year
When MMSA contacted us with an opportunity to volunteer and help out, applying was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. From helping confused citizens to talking to those who are lonely, I got the opportunity to not only help others but to help myself as it got my mind off the negativity of the situation
Julia Zahra, 3rd year
112 Control Room at the Emergency Department
Here around 45 4th year medical students helped answer emergency calls in the 112 control room. Medical students assist the nurses who take these calls and are asked to input the data given by the caller into the 112 system and dispatch an ambulance according to severity – blue, orange, or red codes.
“The moment University announced it will be closing its door for the foreseeable future, I instantly felt a sense of claustrophobia and helplessness since as a fourth-year medical student, there was not much I could do to help but stay at home. Therefore, when there was a call for volunteers, I did not think twice before signing up.”
Martina Spiteri Bailey, 4th year
“I chose to volunteer as I felt that my contribution to society as a medical student during a pandemic was a once in a lifetime opportunity. This experience taught me that in such difficult times it is essential to remember about the people who have other conditions and other needs.”
Rachel Hammett, 4th year
Situation Monitoring
The role here is to daily update a live dashboard used at Mater Dei Hospital with new data received regarding the number of swabs carried out, and which of these were positive on each particular day.
“As preclinical (second year) medical students, we chose to volunteer as we felt that it was our duty to help the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic in any way we could. Our role was to set up an efficient Excel template, as well as a step by step set of instructions which other volunteers can use to help us analyse the new data received and update this dashboard.”
Elizabeth Grech & Katya Bartolo, 2nd years
Gozo Swabbing Centre
Medical students here undertake administrative roles and sometimes assist in the actual swabbing wearing the required PPE, under the guidance of doctors.
“When the COVID-19 outbreak arrived in Malta, a sense of frustration began building inside of me as I thought of the hundreds of healthcare workers on the frontline whilst self-isolating within the comfort of my home. The opening of the swabbing centre in Gozo gave me and fellow Gozitan medical students Elyse Mercieca and Matthew Tabone the opportunity to humbly offer our contribution in this fight. It felt immensely gratifying to give something back in these challenging times as part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal.”
Peter Sciberras, 3rd year
Something a little different from what has been described above, and which surely shouldn’t go unnoticed, is The Diacono Family Project initiated and run by one of our own, Michael Azzopardi.
“Considering I come from a family of chefs, and my grandmother is an incredible inspiration, I decided to channel her passion for cooking. I started contacting family and friends and before I knew it I had a bunch of talented home cooks and professional chefs ready to prepare hundreds of meals in an instant. I set up a schedule where I would pick meals up and deliver them to Mater Dei hospital 3 times a week. I never expected to grow so fast, but over the span of 3 weeks we managed to deliver over 450 meals to healthcare workers. A big thank you to my family, friends, AMC, Victory Butcher, Manouche, Father Claude Portelli and most of all my amazing grandmother, who continues to cook and inspire at the age of 92.”
Michael Azzopardi, 4th year
Although each and every one of the volunteering opportunities requires time and effort, both to plan and to actively carry out, as a medical students’ association we were and still are more than happy to offer our contribution and support to the health authorities in any way that we can.
Here, we would like to take the opportunity to thank them for giving us such opportunities as well as thank all the healthcare workers for their admirable commitment and courage in the fight against COVID-19.
cover image: source
