Dubai-based radiologist recounts fight against COVID

Suchitra Bajpai Chaudhary | Chief Reporter

Two of the most important aspects of COVID-19 management are diagnostics and screening of patients. Lung CT scan, X-rays and other screening tests are key to estimating the extent of lung damage or impact of the cytokine storm (A severe immune reaction in which the body releases too many cytokines into the blood too quickly) in a patient. Frontline technicians at diagnostics departments were putting in long hours at work to manage patient screenings when the pandemic was at its peak.

Kaltham Abdelwahid Nour, radiology technician at Dubai’s Rashid Hospital, shared what it felt like to deal with a deluge of patients. She said all technicians were worried about getting exposed to the virus as they were screening numerous patients daily.

‘We were fearful’

“We had the twin responsibility of taking care of patients as well as keeping ourselves and our colleagues protected. Our fear was completely normal, given the way the pandemic was raging all over the world. At the beginning of the pandemic, we had no clue about the transmission of the virus. So, apart from receiving an overwhelming number of patients and delivering diagnostic services to them, we, as frontline workers, had the added responsibility of educating ourselves on the virus and the ground realities related to it.”

‘We knew it was a war’

Nour said it was indeed challenging to fight an invisible enemy. “We were not sure who or what was the real threat. We had to protect ourselves as the first line of health-care professionals who were in touch with COVID-19 patients. We knew it was a war and our responsibility was big. So, we made an elaborate plan. We developed and managed multiple task forces for workflow management and services delivered to patients. We were also mindful of the health of all health-care providers. If more than 50 per cent of the workers in a team tested positive for COVID-19, then that team would no longer be able to serve patients. So, it was a responsibility we owed to the patients to keep ourselves COVID-free.”

Self-motivation and holding out hope

The COVID-19 warriors had to instill hope in patients and be mentally strong. Nour recalled how the health authorities and the health-care workers inspired each other every day.

“The biggest motivation came from our government and our leadership. Imagine getting up early in the morning to a motivating message from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of Family Development Foundation and Mother of the Nation, appreciating our work. It was really a very big motivation, along with the reassurance from our leaders and the higher authorities about the availability of all necessary medical supplies and equipment to control the infection. This was a great morale-booster that inspired us to fight the pandemic,” Nour said.

Team spirit

Nour said that along with the reassuring messages from the UAE leadership, what also helped them keep their spirits high were the encouraging messages they received from their family, friends and members of the community on social media. “The biggest lesson I learnt during the pandemic was that no matter how big an organisation maybe, no matter how many highly-skilled staff members it may possess and how much sophisticated equipment it may have at its disposal, what really matters at the end of the day is mental resolve and preparedness to tackle a global crisis of this magnitude. Along with that, what is also important is a strong team spirit,” she concluded.