The migrant worker whose COVID-19 story inspired Singapore

Raju Sarker left his family in Bangladesh to work in Singapore. But earlier this year, he became seriously ill after contracting COVID-19.

“When my wife was seven months pregnant, I was diagnosed COVID-19 positive,” he said.

“I couldn’t eat anything. A pipe was inserted below my throat. I was very scared. The doctors worked relentlessly to treat me, and the nurses took care of me.”

It was a sad but familiar story for Bernard Menon, the Executive Director of Singapore’s Migrant Workers’ Centre.

“We would have situations every few days where it was touch and go. The doctors would tell us, ‘You might have to prepare’,” said Mr Menon, his eyes filling with tears.

A majority of Singapore’s 58,000¹ cases of the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 recorded by early December 2020, were among work permit holders living in foreign workers’ dormitories. In all, 29 people in Singapore had lost their lives to COVID-19 by early December. However, the country’s fatality rate of 0.05% was significantly lower than other countries’ in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Together with NGOs, corporate partners and volunteers, the government of Singapore mobilised to help the migrant community, providing medical support, food and daily essential items for more than 300 000 migrant workers.

WHO recognized that migrants living in dormitories and other groups are not always able to follow the Organization’s COVID-19-prevention recommendations. WHO’s interim guidance on actions for consideration in the care and protection of vulnerable population groups from COVID-19 is designed to ensure no migrant or member of another vulnerable group is left behind in the pandemic response.

“Migrants must not be left behind in the COVID-19 response. They are contributing to building our societies and should have access to health and social services as members of our societies,” said Dr Lo Ying-Ru Jacqueline, the WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. “We can only break the chain of COVID-19 transmission if we care and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”

An important theme in WHO’s advice is ownership by the country and community.

“Singaporeans have come out and showed a lot of solidarity and a lot of concern for our migrant workers that help us build our country,” said Mr Menon.

“But I don’t think I’d be exaggerating if I said that Raju inspired a whole country.”

While Mr Sarker lay seriously ill in hospital, medical staff brought him heart-warming news.

“After four days, they suddenly told me that my wife gave birth to our son. With the help of the doctor’s cell phone, I saw my son.

“I was filled with courage and joy. He gave me inspiration and courage to survive.”

His story touched Singaporeans, who donated diapers and toys to support his family and their first child.

After many months, Mr Sarker returned to work. He now calls his son every day.