A 28-year-old Filipino nurse in the United Kingdom shared how he is using his fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to inspire others.
Jaypee James Palis, who hails from San Nicolas, Pangasinan, migrated to England in January, 2017, to join the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) as a nurse.
Just like other Filipinos who work overseas, Palis also struggled to adapt into a new environment while missing his family back in the Philippines.
"It may sound cliché but working overseas is so lonely especially since I live alone and away from my family. The greatest struggle is homesickness," Palis told the Manila Bulletin.
"Actually, I am okay being away from my family as I am used to it back when I was in college, but because of my tough year (2020), after losing dad and having COVID, it made me realize how I needed my family by my side."
Palis contracted the virus in March, 2020. His condition reached the critical stage and was told he needed to be sedated and intubated.
"It started with a very painful headache and low grade fever. It was intermittently happening. Also, followed by body weakness, painful joints and muscles, and dry cough," he said.
It was a particularly tough time for Palis as it came within weeks of the death of his father in the Philippines.
“Having COVID-19 was challenging, and to be honest, at that time, it was really hard. I can’t explain how I was feeling. I kept on telling my family not to cry," said Palis in an NHS newsletter.
“No one could visit. They were away from me in the Philippines so the only people who could help were the staff and the people I live with who are also my colleagues – they really supported me," he added.
While Palis is now doing well, he said the coronavirus has affected his psychological health.
"I easily get depressed at things but I am able to cope." He added he had to return to work as a phase returner, which means, instead of doing 12-hour shift, it was cut down to an eight-hour shift for a month.
"The one that affects me most is the "COVID Risk Assessment for Employees". Because I am BAME (Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic), Male and my BMI is high, I was categorized as Amber Risk which means I can't handle suspected and confirmed COVID patients," he told the Manila Bulletin.
As a health care worker, Palis added that although he had fears of being infected again while working and caring for his patients, he still chose to serve again.
"Our ward was short staffed that time due to staff COVID sickness, as the Nurse in charge, I don't want to let my team down, that's why I have decided to handle suspected and confirmed COVID patients even if it means risking my life again," he added.
But now, Palis uses his experience to lift the spirits of his patients, colleagues, and those who also contracted the virus.
He decided to play a pivotal role in the biggest vaccination program in the history of the NHS.
Palis became a COVID-19 vaccinator and lead coordinator in a vaccine hub.
"Initially, I'm just doing the COVID vaccine as an extra job but after a few days of doing it, I heard stories of people on home isolation for nearly a year and people who lost their love one due to COVID," he said.
"It was an eye opener for me to share my story and to tell people about trusting the vaccine as something that can give us all a glimpse of hope," he added.
Palis was later promoted as a nurse manager for outpatient services at Colchester Hospital, which is also being run by the ESNEFT.
As the fight against the deadly virus continues, Palis advised his fellow health care workers to never stop fighting the invisible, but still look after themselves too.
Contracting the virus may have given Palis the scare of his life, but there is no doubt that it has also made him more compassionate and strong.