Emdad Rahman
Volunteering has always been in the lifeblood of the NHS – Dr Neil Churchill
MFA Zaman had been thanked for his service To mark the 73rd Birthday of the NHS as part of Volunteers Week.
During the Covid pandemic Zaman was involved in various activities with the NHS.
Coronavirus infections rocketed and the Government announced the national lockdown.
Hospitals were busier than any other time, with record coronavirus admissions forcing ambulances to wait outside NHS hospitals and also intensive care units operating over their capacity.
Hospitals in London came under significant pressure from high covid-19 infection rates whilst lacking doctors and nurses.
The NHS called for help and 750,00 people signed up in just four days.
MFA Zaman joined the Nightingale Hospital and also raised funds for NHS Charities.
After the first lockdown Zaman volunteered on the London Underground and bus stations to provide masks and raise awareness on how to protect lives from Covid.
Now he is involved in the NHS Vaccination programme.
MFA Zaman is really pleased to get recognition for his service. He said, “I am really grateful to the NHS for their appreciation. But it is not only for me, but for those who serve our NHS with heart and soul.
“Every single volunteer is a national hero. I am glad to be part of it. Over the last one year, we have lost many friends, neighbours, and good people in our society.
“My philosophy in volunteering is to help without exception, love without condition, give a smile with peace. Let us support each other to move forward and always be grateful for every single blessing in life.”
The NHS has celebrated the amazing difference volunteers make to patients every day during this year’s National Volunteers Week.
Director for Experience, Participation and Equalities at NHS England, Dr Neil Churchill said, “I want to say a massive thank you to each and every volunteer who has supported the NHS over the past year and celebrate this achievement by looking forwards and not back.
“Volunteering has always been in the lifeblood of the NHS but I predict that the next few years will see a further infusion of vitality in the opportunities we extend to volunteers in and beyond our services.
“We are humbled by the way people step up to help when we face the greatest pressures, whether that is during heavy snowfalls, harsh winters or times of pandemic like these. The last twelve months have been a year like no other and the achievements of volunteers have been equally incomparable. We hope that many of you who volunteered to support the NHS over the past year will want to explore other ways that you can be part of our NHS’ future too.”
On the 5th July 1948, NHS was launched by the Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan, at the Park Hospital in Manchester. The motivation to provide a good, strong, and reliable healthcare to all was finally taking its first tentative steps. It is the second largest single-payer healthcare system in the world after the Brazilian Sistema Único de Saúde.