UAE medical students volunteer to help during COVID-19 pandemic
26 students of 12 nationalities sign up to help across UAE hospitals
Dubai: Responding to the call of duty in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 26 students belonging to 12 different nationalities have signed up as volunteers at different hospitals and are clocking an eight hour duty that will continue most likely until the end of June or beyond.
The students, in the final and penultimate year of medicine, nursing and allied health services at the Gulf Medical University GMU), Ajman have begun working in hospitals across the UAE. The students belong the College of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, College of Nursing in various programmes at GMU. While a majority of students reported for work at the Thumbay Hospital, Ajman, many have signed up at a digital platform to work in several hospitals belonging to the Ministry of Health.
Gulf News spoke to six of these students, all of who are in the age group of 22-26, to understand what drove them to volunteer for a cause that could expose them to a dangerous contagion.
Being true to the Hippocratic Oath
The students were trained initially in all hygiene protocols and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before they were absorbed into the hospital routine so that they were able to take all precautions against any transmission or exposure to COVID 19.
At Thumbay Hospital, the students are working under the supervision of Dr Fozi Abozeid Dakilah, the Medical Director. Every morning, armed with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), the volunteers report to work, lending a helping hand to a beleaguered medical team. Alyssa Cameron, a South African expatriate and Palwasha Javed, a fourth year medical student and Pakistani National said they tried to understand the rigours of the routine andd fit into the work flow.
Getting hands on experience on the front line
Nursing volunteers work at government hospitals
At least five other nursing students from GMU hailing from Indian , Krygystan and Yemen who have registered as volunteers are working in Ministry of Health hospitals in Dubai, Ajman, Um Al Quwain and also for the Red Crescent.
Commenting on the magnanimous response from GMU student volunteers, Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU said, “We are not surprised by the eagerness of students to volunteer their services, irrespective of the risks involved, as the world battles the pandemic. Commitment to the medical profession is something we imbibe in our students. GMU students volunteer regularly at medical and health camps for the benefit of the general public. Furthermore, for the students, providing support to the medical professionals at the frontlines will be an invaluable experience and learning opportunity.”
