A Malaysian nurse has described the demanding physical effort required by her and her colleagues in caring for a patient weighing over 140kg.
Image credit: MiMi Bukhari (Facebook)
The post, originally shared on Facebook, has drawn attention to the demanding realities of frontline healthcare work, particularly when dealing with severely obese patients.
Physical demands of frontline work
In her post, the nurse explained that the patient’s weight was equivalent to the combined weight of three nurses on duty that night. Even routine tasks such as repositioning the patient or changing a diaper required considerable physical effort from all three staff members.
“There were three of us nurses on shift, and the patient weighed over 140kg, which is roughly the total of our body weights combined. Just to change a diaper or adjust his position, it took everything we had,” she stated.
The nurse described the physical strain the team endured throughout the shift, stating that their bodies ached until morning. The post also highlighted how nurses are often responsible for full-body hygiene care, including trimming nails, some of which had grown excessively long and curved.
A growing concern for healthcare workers
The post highlights a growing issue in the healthcare system, which is the increasing burden placed on frontline workers due to rising obesity rates. While the nurse emphasized that her intention was not to shame patients, she hoped to raise awareness about the unseen strain healthcare providers endure.
“People often say, ‘It’s my body, I’m not troubling anyone.’ But the truth is, we’re the ones lifting, turning, and cleaning them. It’s not easy.”
Health risks extend beyond the individual
Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems. In addition to affecting individual health, it can also pose challenges within the healthcare system, especially when manual care is needed in settings with limited equipment or staffing.
In her post, the nurse also shared a personal reflection, noting that the experience prompted her to become more mindful of her own health and weight. “Even I started to get worried as I noticed my own weight increasing,” she wrote.
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