Outpouring of support for Saudi doctor infected with COVID-19
26-year-old physician feels guilty for transmitting coronavirus to family
Cairo: A young Saudi doctor has triggered an outpouring of support after he tweeted that he had contracted the new coronavirus while on duty and transmitted it to his family.
“I didn’t imagine one day that all of us would go to hospital because of me,” Dr Omar Hafez, 26, said on Twitter. “I only went out to serve people and help them. Oh Allah, bestow Your mercy and recovery on us,” he added.
Dr Hafez’s tweet drew massive support. Saudi Health Minister Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah wished recovery and safety for Omar and his family. “Society appreciates your sacrifice and that of all health practitioners,” the minister added on Twitter.
Other social media users voiced similar support.
“May Allah end this crisis well,” tweeted a commentator named Mariyam. Another named Mona said: “May Allah bestow recovery on them and protect all of us.”
“May you and your family recover soon, Dr Omar. Allah will not forget us,” said a fellow physician named Dr Hamad.
Dr Omar, who works at a Jeddah hospital, told Saudi daily Okaz that he felt guilty for having transmitted infection to his family including his mother.
“It didn’t occur to me one day that I would cause any harm to my mother. Since my childhood, I have been living with her in my grandpa’s house after my father died when I was five,” he added.
He said the aim of his popular tweet was to seek prayer from people for his mother.
Dr Omar and his family left the hospital after their condition became stable, according to Okaz.