Ajman: Her caring hands have welcomed thousands of babies to this world. Working as a maternity nurse in Ajman since 1976, Indian expatriate Mercy Chandy is the oldest practising nurse in the emirate.
Aged 63, Chandy, who completes 40 years of service this year, was honoured by Ajman Police on May 22, an official statement said on Wednesday.
The heart-warming gesture saw the grandmother of three shed tears of joy.
“It really surprised me,” Chandy said. She added, “This is the first time in my life that that I am awarded.”
Hailing from Kerala, Chandy arrived in Abu Dhabi in 1976. “My father, who was working in Abu Dhabi, brought me here soon after I finished my nursing course from Delhi,” she told Gulf News.
After an interview in Abu Dhabi, Chandy was appointed as a maternity nurse in the Ajman Medical District. She started her job in a maternity hospital of eight beds which operated out of a villa. She moved to Al Zahra Hospital and then to Shaikh Khalifa Hospital where she is working now.
“I stayed in a hostel in Ajman in the first four years … I got married in 1980 after which I shifted to Dubai with my husband. In 1986, we moved back to Ajman where I was working.”
Her daughters are 34-year-old Bessy who works with Emirates airline and 31-year-old Betty who is a doctor in India. Her son, Bijoy, 29, has just finished his engineering studies in Australia.
She is scheduled to retire next year. “I love UAE, I feel I am a part of this country and have witnessed the growth of Ajman Medical District,” she said.
Chandy said she is proud to be a maternity nurse. “Maternity nurses take great pride in bringing new life into the world every day. We are proud that our care helps families move past fear and anxiety to experience the excitement and joy of this special time.”
“I am happy and satisfied with my job. People who received our assistance recognise us ... they tell their children ‘this is your mum, she helped in your childbirth’. I am so happy to hear such words”, she said
Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, head of police operations management support services, honoured Chandy as part of the International Nurses Day celebrations, a police statement said on Wednesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Saeed Sultan Al Shamisi, director of the comprehensive police stations, and Captain Fatima Obaid Saeed Al Shamisi, director of community police branch at Al Madina police station in Ajman, attended the ceremony.
Lt Col Al Nuaimi praised Chandy for her faithful work, which is considered a humanitarian profession. “She deserves all the praise and appreciation because she spent all her youth in this noble humanitarian profession. I wish her every success in her career and future,” Lt Col Al Nuaimi said.
