Coronavirus impact: Indian with brain tumor returns home, thanks UAE for positive lessons

When Vineeth Yohannan touched down in Abu Dhabi in summer of 2007, he had loads of dreams and ambitions. However, on Thursday, he returned on board the repatriation flight to Kerala with a heavy heart.
Yohannan belongs to a middle-class family from Kollam district. His initial years in Abu Dhabi were fruitful with a stable job and salary but everything came tumbling down after he was diagnosed with brain tumour in May 2018. He was operated at Christian Medical College Vellore, Tamil Nadu. He returned to Abu Dhabi last year but had to quit job after few months as his health condition worsened. As he felt better, Yohannan was back here on visit visa but this time his luck has run out.

"I don't know why but I can't think of any other place to work but the UAE. I am 35 and my association with the UAE is for 13 years. But now I have bleeding from nose, double vision, severe migraine, lack of body balance and an additional growth on back of my ear. With my health issues, I am quitting this place but not my love for the UAE."

He has recently landed few job offers but those fell apart under Covid-19 impact. Worse, his 64-year-old father is Covid-19 positive and admitted at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. "My father will return to Kerala once he recovers fully," Yohannan said.

"Past few months, I was dependent on well-wishers to survive. Even my air ticket was purchased by a friend."

Once done with mandatory quarantine norms in Kerala, Yohannan will be back to Vellore CMC.

"Now, I am back to zero. With my health issues, I wish to stay in India. I have costly treatment in front of me and I am penniless. But I thank the UAE for everything in my life. This country has made me a stronger person, to fight my situation. I will miss Abu Dhabi and its positivity. I will use these virtues to conduct motivational classes back in Kerala. I will miss the UAE."

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi
• India

Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar is a versatile journalist who explores every beat in Abu Dhabi with an insatiable curiosity. He loves uncovering stories that are informative and help readers form their own opinions.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com