Despite facing business challenges due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, three local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have volunteered to cater food and dishes to frontline healthcare workers at Alexandra Hospital (AH) to spur them on.

On Feb. 26, a group of four frontline healthcare representatives received food items from these three SMEs on behalf of some 80 frontline team members serving in the 24-hour Urgent Care Centre, the two isolation wards and the ICU.

Bentos from Hai Sia Seafood

Hai Sia Seafood, a 44-year-old, second generation SME brand, supplied three types of fish cut pieces - red snapper, garoupa and barramundi - that was prepared into 80 halal and non-halal lunch bentos for the healthcare workers at AH.

According to Ang Junting, the deputy director of Hai Sia Seafood, he wanted to supply nutritious food such as fresh fish for the hospital frontline team as they work round the clock, and may not have time to cook nor taste home-cooked family meals.

Ang, who will provide lunch and dinner bentos for at least two weeks, also hopes that the fresh seafood supplied by his company would bring healthcare workers "some comfort in these trying times."

"The time Singaporeans have robbed away from healthcare workers has kept all of us safe. Many people would not be able to imagine the consequences otherwise," he adds.

Gelato from Carrara cafe

On the other hand, Jackson Lee, the director of Carrara Cafe at Jalan Bukit Merah, expressed his gratitude to healthcare workers by giving out 80 cups of his cafe's gelato.

Although the cafe has seen fewer walk-in customers and a reduction in orders since the outbreak of the virus, Lee still wanted to distribute "happy food" to keep the medical team uplifted and happy.

Lee added that "we are all in uniforms but we all serve a different purpose," and expressed regret that many hospital staff have been ostracised in public transport.

From now till end April, Carrara cafe will also be giving a free scoop of gelato to healthcare workers (from any hospital) with every purchase of a main.

Original Sembawang White Beehoon from White Beehoon Restaurant

Finally, Sam Lim, the general manager of White Beehoon Restaurant, mentioned that while he might not understand the difficulties healthcare workers are going through, he does know how to feed them and warm their bellies.

However, they decided to volunteer 80 packets of the Original Sembawang White Beehoon to healthcare workers from AH.

This is despite the brand facing a 50 to 60 per cent reduction in customers at their Jewel Changi and Suntec City outlets, Lim told Mothership.

Lim has also added that the restaurant is willing to prepare more orders of food, should AH or any other hospital in Singapore require them.

Gratitude from staff at Alexandra Hospital

Margaret Lee, the Chief Nurse at AH, has expressed her gratitude towards the corporates for their support and concern.

"Nurses are very focused on what they do, and as such do not come to work expecting SMEs to support them in any way. Therefore, it goes a long way in helping us push harder at work when we do receive such forms of gifts and appreciations. More importantly, it helps us know that we are not alone in this journey and that people across all walks of life are coming together to support us in fighting this battle together."

Grace Chiang, the Chief Operating Officer of AH, has also expressed her gratefulness to the SMEs for their outpouring of support for frontline staff.

"We are very inspired and will continue to do our best in delivering the best care for our patients," she says.

Top image via Alexandra Hospital