Head Nurse Shares Siti Hasmah’s Final Words: ‘Thank You for Taking Care of Us’

KUALA LUMPUR: The late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali had expressed her gratitude to the medical team for taking care of her and her husband, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, before her passing on Monday.

Sharing the poignant moment, K Divya Barathy, 30, the head nurse of the medical team caring for the couple, said Dr Siti Hasmah conveyed the message a day before she died.

“A day before her passing, Tun Hasmah said that it was time for her to go. She also thanked us for taking care of her and her husband. I replied, ‘Please don’t say that, Tun.’

“I never expected that she would pass away the following morning. Those words still echo in my mind to this day. This loss is very difficult for me to accept,” she said.

Divya said she had cared for the couple for the past five years as head nurse, assisted by three other nurses – Tiffany Chen Kah Lim, 28, M Suganya, 29, and Nur Shahnila Amyra Mohd Saad, 31 – as well as physiotherapist Choo Zhang Hui, also known as Kevin Choo, 31.

She said that while accompanying Dr Mahathir during the funeral, the team focused on ensuring his comfort and providing him with the support he needed.

“We helped keep his hands clean, gently massaged his legs for comfort and remained close by.

“I personally found it difficult to simply say, ‘It’s okay, Tun’ or ‘You have to stay strong, Tun,’ because I could see how deep their love for each other was.

“I did not want to diminish his grief with words that were too simple. At that moment, we just wanted him to know that we were there by his side,” she said.

Divya said she appreciated the concern and kind words expressed by the public towards her team, as well as Dr Mahathir and his family.

“Caring for the couple was a collective effort by our entire team. I am grateful to have carried out this responsibility alongside them with love and compassion.

“I am deeply grateful to God for giving my team and me the opportunity to serve them.

“Beyond the honour of caring for our nation’s legends, I will always cherish the warmth and affection we shared with them,” she said.

Dr Siti Hasmah, 100, died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at 9.20am on Monday. Her death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.

She was laid to rest at Pusara Negara in Precinct 20, Putrajaya, following funeral prayers at Masjid As Syarif in Taman Sungai Besi Indah, Serdang.

Berita Harian