They nurse the world to health in time of crisis

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan @MohamedbinZayed

On the occasion of International Nurses’ Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the role of these extraordinary warriors who are fighting on the frontlines.

We give you a snapshot of the invaluable contribution of three nurses who are playing a vital role in these tough times battling against the Covid-19 outbreak.

Shadia Mohammad Sharaf, 53,

Egyptian

It was her father’s illness that led Egyptian national Shadia to pick up nursing as her profession in 1991 in Saudi Arabia where she lived with her family.

“I saw nurses serving my father who was suffering from heart ailments and he received so much comfort from them. It was then I decided to become a nurse and serve people with the same conviction and devotion as I saw my dad being served.”

Shadia, who started working as a nurse at Prime Hospital from 2008 till date, has been home just once in the 12 years she has spent here. “Although I have my mother, two sisters and a brother living in Saudi Arabia, I keep in touch with them through phone as I feel my presence is more required here. I love serving people and it gives me peace and happiness. And now, during the pandemic, I feel my role is to help people and comfort them as many are sick and scared.”

Mary Grace, 33,

the Philippines Mary Grace came to the UAE in 2010 and worked as a nurse at several clinics and hospitals until March 2020.

On hearing about the pandemic and the requirement of nurses by the UAE Government to serve Covid-19 patients, Mary resigned from her regular job and joined as a full-time volunteer at Al Warsan isolation centre that serves Covid-19 positive patients.

Khaya Msimango, 36,

South African

After having worked as a nurse in Oman for eight years, Khaya came to the UAE last year as chief nursing officer at Right Health Group clinics.

She now manages around 125 nurses and works with them. “We interact with Covid-19 cases on a daily basis but that doesn’t scare us because for us, they are our patients and we need to comfort them.”

Khaya, who stays alone as her family is back in South Africa, said it is the love and support showered by the government and people of the UAE that give her the strength to stay steadfast on the path to serving others.

As we celebrate World Nurses Day, we salute our frontline that faces the pandemic bravely. We pay tribute to them here in the UAE and the world. Their role is essential, and the sacrifice is great. They are truly the embodiment of mercy and compassion.

She spent 12 years away from family

‘I resigned my job to volunteer’

‘The UAE makes us feel special’