Ramadan in UAE: Indian doctor, nurses skip iftar to save a life

Ramadan in UAE: Indian doctor, nurses skip iftar to save a life

Mangalore Today News Network

Dubai, March 29, 2025: In a heartwarming display of dedication and professionalism, a fasting Indian doctor and two nurses at a private hospital in Abu Dhabi skipped their iftar to save a patient’s life.

The incident occurred recently at Lifecare Hospital in Musaffah, where Dr Aboobacker Sidhique, a Specialist in Emergency Medicine, and two nurses, Kalith Enayathulla and Rakhila Mohandas, were on duty in the emergency department. Mohandas, expressing solidarity with her Muslim colleagues, was also fasting.

At 6:25 pm, as the emergency team was preparing to break their fast, an emergency alert was sounded – a patient, Abdul Rahim, was wheeled in with severe chest pain and shortness of breath.

Immediate response

“We were washing our hands and faces. It had been a long day in the emergency room, and then suddenly, the patient was rushed in an ambulance,” Dr Sidhique said.

Sensing the urgency of the situation, the team immediately assessed the patient. An electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST-segment elevation, a clear sign of a myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

“The patient’s condition was critical, with borderline vital signs requiring immediate intervention.”

Recognising that the patient required a life-saving angioplasty, Dr Sidhique swiftly activated the Cath Lab and alerted the cardiologist.

However, due to the patient’s extreme instability, an immediate transfer wasn’t an option.

“Intubation became necessary to secure the airway. It’s a delicate procedure that demands precision and teamwork. Over the next 10-15 minutes, we worked efficiently, stabilising the patient while maintaining our composure under pressure,” Dr Sidhique noted.

Once the patient was stable, he was safely transferred to the Cath Lab for life-saving treatment. It was only after 7:30 pm, when the situation was under control, that they took a moment to break their fast.

The patient, Rahim, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the medical team for their timely intervention and selfless dedication.

A doctor serving at iftar tent

In another instance of strong commitment to patient care, Dr Maazuddin Mohammad serves at iftar tents during the fasting month, while also working at a clinic.

Dr Maazuddin Mohammad has been a General Practitioner at Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services (AVMMS) for the past eight years. Currently, he is working with Dubai Health to screen patients for non-communicable diseases at iftar tents, while also working at Aster Ras Al Khor Clinic.

Dr Mohammad noted that working while fasting is challenging, but with proper planning, it can be managed effectively.

“The focus would be always on maintaining good hydration by taking adequate fluids during non-fasting hours, balanced suhoor meals, avoiding spicy food during Ramadan, taking short breaks in between to avoid fatigue while working and having adequate sleep.”

Dr Mohammad noted that ensuring patient care is not compromised during Ramadan is a top priority. “Well, I guess it is teamwork, which puts the patients’ needs before us. My colleagues at work are very supportive of me and we delegate tasks when necessary. I would also like to credit my wife’s role in giving me good pre-dawn meals so l stay healthy and hydrated throughout the day.”

Sharing a medical case handled during this month and advising fasting people to maintain good hydration, he said: “Two young boys presented within a span of one week in a drowsy, semi-conscious state to the clinic. Upon evaluation they had hypotension. We had to give them a rapid bolus of IV fluids to correct it. This was secondary to dehydration while fasting. So, I would like to request everyone who is working outdoors to maintain good hydration during non-fasting hours, avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, and avoid high sugary drinks/ carbonated drinks for iftar.”