The heroism of healthcare workers knows no bounds. It never has, but the COVID-19 outbreak has been a jolting reminder of sacrifice and selflessness that are second nature to them. As the world continues to change, one thing has remained constant – the resolve of doctors, nurses, paramedics and all others on the front lines to safeguard us despite pervasive uncertainty.

“As a healthcare worker, our job is not just to protect and serve, but also to educate and raise awareness,” says Dr Alya Al Suwaidi, Senior Family Medicine Specialist and Deputy-in-charge at Al Mamzar Health Center, Dubai Health Authority. Every day, she and her colleagues put themselves in harm’s way to deal with what’s one of the most harrowing pandemics that the world has ever endured.

As a healthcare worker, our job is not just to protect and serve, but also to educate and raise awareness

Amid the hard-hitting experience of treating distressed patients is always the chance that one of your own may contract the disease. Dr Alya recalls when two nurses from her team had tested positive for the virus, “It was a shock to all of us that our colleagues were sick and had to be isolated. We felt bad as a team and sorry that they had to part from their families, especially the mothers who had young children.”

And then there’s the challenge of splitting time between family and work, which for most healthcare workers, has been no easy feat. As a mother, Dr Alya has had to ensure that she keeps her family safe and takes all necessary measures, including repeatedly disinfecting herself, to reduce the risk of catching and transmitting the disease. “At home, I’ve had to explain to my family why social distancing is important and how to implement constant hygiene practices, such as washing their hands,” she shares.

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For anyone like Dr Alya, who is witnessing this situation up-close, this situation has been glaringly difficult. She states that the health sector had to face the challenge of raising awareness at the beginning of the pandemic for people at both ends of the spectrum: those who were panic-stricken and getting themselves tested, and the ones who weren’t taking it seriously.

But Dr Alya commends the way the UAE has responded to the crisis, highlighting how resources have been channeled into understanding the novel Coronavirus and determining what can be done to better protect our community and people.

“The UAE government has made significant efforts towards addressing the outbreak, such as swiftly catering to the needs of the healthcare system, testing susceptible community members, and devising a comprehensive plan to contain the disease,” she notes. “They also ensured quality healthcare for everyone living in the UAE, and continue to extend help internationally.”

I advise everyone to be responsible, not just for themselves but also for their loved ones, as it’s better to be safe than sorry

As Dr Alya continues to witness the plight of her patients, she emphasizes that prevention is better than cure. “I advise everyone to be responsible, not just for themselves but also for their loved ones, as it’s better to be safe than sorry,” she comments. “Always wear a mask and maintain a safe distance between yourself and others. Also, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face and only go out for urgent matters”.

And those who are affected or whose loved ones are battling COVID-19, don’t despair. Clinical trials, including those for the breakthrough stem cell therapy, proposed by the research team at Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, are currently under way, and medical professionals are hopeful that they’ll soon find a cure.

Dr Alya urges those who’ve been impacted by the crisis to closely follow the government and ministry of health’s directives, and adopt a healthier and more wholesome approach to their lives. “Add physical activity to your everyday routine and adopt stress management techniques. We’ll overcome this before you know it.”

Cover illustration by Alicia Goveas