This year’s International Nurses Day happens to be an extraordinary one. With a global pandemic on our hands, it’s unlikely that any form of grand celebrations will be carried out this year in the way that nurses truly deserve. Nurses have historically been on the front-lines of all healthcare emergencies and crisis situations, and nowadays are the first ones to be exposed to coronavirus infected patients. Without their selfless and remarkable efforts, the number of people who have survived the coronavirus may not have been as high.

According to a report by the World Health Organization, from the 509 healthcare workers affected by the novel coronavirus so far, 15% are nurses or nursing staff. We need to be proud of our nurses fighting on the front line to serve the nation while risking their own lives. Over 500 healthcare workers in Pakistan have contracted the virus and 8 have died, yet they strive hard and perform their duties without personal protective equipment. Today is a day to celebrate our front-line heroes. Most of all, a day to honor the nurses who have laid down their lives fighting the coronavirus. We should stand together in solidarity and express our gratitude to them to ensure their sacrifices are not ignored. Let’s salute our heroes for their valour and courage:

Noman Ahmed, a 32-year old nurse, worked as an attendant at Al-Khidmat Hospital in Orangi Town. He was diagnosed with the virus and admitted to an isolation ward at the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi where he was under treatment for 10 days. With his condition deteriorating significantly, he eventually succumbed to the deadly virus. Noman had gotten married about four months ago.

Sadaf Jameel, a 38-year old staff nurse, was serving coronavirus patients in the isolation ward at the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital in Gujrat. When her condition started to deteriorate very quickly, she was put on a ventilator. Sadaf’s swab test for coronavirus was not sent until she expired, therefore she was described to have died of natural causes in her death certificate.

As lock down restrictions are relaxed by the government, please keep in mind that the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus still poses a very real threat to the entire country’s health. It is now more than ever that we should practice self-control and remain indoors unless it is absolutely necessary to leave our homes. Take a walk in the shoes of a healthcare professional and really understand the very serious danger that these brave soldiers are in every day of their lives. Our doctors and nurses are not doing ordinary jobs - they are serving humanity. The least that we can do is be responsible citizens and give them the respect and protection they deserve.

All of us at Shifaam would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our nurses and wish them a very Happy International Nurses’ Day. We would also like to take this opportunity to urge our nurses to look after themselves and each other as this pandemic will take it’s heaviest toll on healthcare professionals. Shifaam and CIC are offering free of cost counseling and support services for all healthcare professionals fighting the COVID-19 battle to help them destress and recuperate.

Sources:

DAWN

The News

The Express Tribune