“I’m blessed to be in the UAE and serve the people here,” she said.
An Indian doctor in the UAE has experienced the “biggest day” in her life as an expatriate.
Taking to Twitter, Ayesha Sultana (@AyeshaSultana95) shared how she was on a late night shift and was headed home after work around 1am when the Dubai Police stopped her.
Dubai carries out its sterilisation programme from 10pm to 6am, when movement is restricted.
Referring to the policeman who stopped her, Sultana said: “I told him I’m a doctor returning from duty, had all my papers to present them. But he refused to check anything & gave me a Salute (sic).
“As a UAE resident, this is the biggest day of my life THANKYOU,” she added.
In the same thread, she said she was speechless and “had tears in my eyes”.
The doctor thanked the policeman for the gesture. “I’m blessed to be in the UAE and serve the people here.”
There is massive respect for healthcare workers in the UAE, who are hailed as the “first line of defence against Covid-19”.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had in March launched an online campaign to thank them.
Taking to Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed had invited everyone to thank doctors, nurses, paramedics and hospital administrators with #ThankYouHeroes.
During the national sterilisation programme hours, residents express their support for the medical community by clapping, cheering and singing the national anthem from their balconies.
A ‘Together We Chant for UAE’ initiative launched earlier this month encourages residents to sing the UAE national anthem from their balconies on Wednesday and Friday at 9pm. The initiative is an appreciation for the frontline workers, everyone in the health sector, as well as the leadership of the UAE.
