Coronavirus: Medics who got 10-year UAE visa say they never felt like outsiders

Doctors who received the 10-year golden residency visa for being on the frontlines of the Covid-19 crisis had barely expected anything as this reward.
Recently, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, granted 10-year golden residency to 212 doctors in an expression of thanks and appreciation to their devoted efforts in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.
A pleasant surprise
Syrian expat Dr Manar Butros, who works as an emergency ward specialist at Rashid Hospital is among the doctors, who have been granted the long-term visa. "I was working when I received the call from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) telling me about the golden residency visa. It was such a pleasant surprise and also a huge honour. I had never thought that I would be rewarded in such a big way for fulfilling my duties.
"This encourages us to work more and give back more to the UAE, a country that I call home. I am grateful to the UAE government and the Dubai Ruler for being so generous."
Dr Butros has been working at the Rashid hospital's emergency ward for the past seven years. Even when the highly infectious Covid-19 cases started coming in, he says never for a moment, did he flinch. "It is not only our job, but it's our responsibility as doctors. If we don't treat the patients then who would do it? I have also been very lucky on the home front as my wife, who is a dentist, understands my position really well and is very supportive."
Totally unexpected
Dr Abulrazak Hassan Jumale, who has been in the UAE for the past 25 years, never thought he would be rewarded in such a magnanimous way. "This was totally unexpected. I am so humbled by the greatness of the UAE government. I am very proud to be working as part of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) team. It's every doctor's passion to save lives, but to be rewarded like this feels as if you are getting something 'extra'. This feeling is beyond what words can express. "
The 54-year old Somali expat has been working at the Dubai International Airport's medical centre for the past 15 years, which is considered to be the first filter in case of an outbreak.
Although the DHA had provided separate hotel accommodation for all its frontline workers, Dr Razak continued to stay at home while taking all necessary precautions to protect his family.
"I wear PPE suits and take all precautions - sanitising my hands and changing my clothes - before greeting my family. I have been extra cautious by staying in a separate room."
"This privilege uplifts my spirit to work even harder for this country. This feeling is unparalleled and is extremely 'precious' to me."
Blessed and privileged
Pakistani expat Dr Fatima Ali Mazahir, who works at Latifa Hospital, has never felt like an outsider in the UAE as her medical career took off after she completed her internship here.
"I was at home when I received the phone call. I was filled with gratification. It's the thought behind it that really touched me. This act inspires everyone to give your best selflessly. It's truly a great gesture by our great leaders who think about everyone living in the country."
The gesture further cements her feelings about the country she always called home. "I never called the UAE my second home. It is and has always been my home."
The frontline worker triumphs her husband who had a significant role to help her excel. "He has always been by my side through thick and thin. There have been days when I come home exhausted. He has taken care of the children and cared for them while I've been attending to my call for duty," said the mother of two.
"I am surprised, honoured, privileged and have no words to describe my happiness, she added.
nandini@khaleejtimes.com