GETTING USED TO FASTING IN PROTECTIVE GEAR
Mohamed Nabil Al Shafei, a 26-year-old Egyptian nurse working in the emergency department (ER) at Prime Hospital, is glad he is able to give his time and energy to serve people.
He is one of the frontline healthcare workers who receive Covid-19 patients in the ambulance.
“Some of these patients are already diagnosed with the virus while for others, we run scans and tests to help with the diagnosis. Since we cannot determine whether they are
Covid-positive or not, I have to be in my personal protective equipment
(PPE) for all the 12 hours I am on duty. It does make fasting a bit difficult as the PPE suit is a bit suffocating. I have now gotten used to it.”
Nabil, who stays alone in Dubai, cooks Suhoor and Iftar meals and packs it to work. “I work in two shifts, therefore I need to eat healthily and prefer home-made food. I do miss my family and wish they were here with me, especially during Ramadan time. I manage to make my own Egyptian meals similar to the ones my mother made back home.
He has been fasting from a young age and the fast doesn’t his 12-hour schedule. “It is difficult but I don’t mind it because I am getting a chance to serve people during these tough times.”
While entering the medical profession, Nabil had taken an oath to serve people in all circumstances and had been practising it for the last six years. “My job is to be on the frontlines and not to be scared. I am focused on my job which is in the critical care department.
“When I receive people, I see them looking scared and yet hopeful, so I have to remain strong. It is my faith in Allah and following his commandments that help me stay rock solid. We have to battle this pandemic and if we, qualified healthcare professionals, get scared how will we protect others?” he asks.
“We stay so busy that it is hard to take time out to even to go for Iftar or prayer.A number of my non-Muslim colleagues come forward to support me. They cover up for me at least for 20 minutes for Iftar and prayer. I have to complete my Suhoor or Iftar meals within minutes, but that is alright. Duty always comes first.”