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WATCH: Dubai-based Filipina nurse converses with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed about experiences as a UAE frontliner

A Filipina frontliner from Dubai was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nayhan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces to share stories about her experiences as among those who have been taking care of patients afflicted with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Jessa Dawn Ubag, who works as one among thousands of Filipino nurses licensed under the Dubai Health Authority, told Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed about one of her patients who was in her late 20s, whose health deteriorated to the point that she needed to be on a ventilator.
“With no visitors allowed, I would constantly update her families back home on her general medical condition,” said Ubag.
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The Dumaguete native shared that the personal protective equipment (PPE) provided for her coupled with her own fervent prayers, she faced her duty head-on and entered the patient’s isolation room to perform multitudes of tasks as a nurse.
Ubag said that while there are times that wearing the PPEs make her feel weary and exhausted, she realizes that it is her own determination and drive that will save the lives of these patients from the deadly disease.
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“I choose to bravely put on my shield and enter the war zone with an unseen enemy because I believe this is my calling as a nurse to be of great service to most people more needy than I am,” said Ubag.
She then shared that her patient eventually recovered after three weeks of active treatment and furthered that while work for frontliners like her may be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining, it’s the smiles and the faces of patients who have recovered that keep her going.
“I believe this pandemic has totally changed our lives. My work may be physically, sometimes mentally and emotionally draining – but stories of hope and successful recoveries from my patients prove that there is always a light at the end of a dark tunnel. I believe that we shall all get past through this ordeal and together we will heal as one,” said Ubag.
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His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed then took the opportunity to ask Ubag about her family back home, to which she responded that it is her mom that is indeed worried about her due to the ongoing pandemic: “My mother is worried back home but I constantly reassure her that I am perfectly fine. Her daily prayers for me helps me a lot and gives me the driving force to face each day in my work.”
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His Highness then assured Ubag that she will be taken care of and thanked her for her inspiring story.
“God bless her, give her my best regard and tell her that you are fine with your second family,” said His Highness.
Ubag’s one-on-one interview with His Highness forms part of the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed series that champions the importance of dialogue, understanding the others’ point of view and reaffirming the high value of exchanging ideas in order to enrich debates and contribute to a deeper understanding of and better solutions for the various issues that can impact future societies and human life.
Watch the entire conversation here:

Staff Report

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