A nurse in Dubai, who went above and beyond the call of duty at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, has been nominated for a $250,000 (Dh981,500) award.
Indian mum-of-two Jasmine Mohammed Sharaf was picked from an international list of almost 24,000 nominees to be in with a chance of winning the Aster Guardian Global Nursing Award.
As one of 10 finalists, a selection panel will judge her voluntary work outside her nursing job.
Ms Sharaf, who is the sole provider for her family after her husband lost his job during the pandemic, visited low-income workers to deliver food, personal protective equipment, and completed health checks in the homes of those isolating or unable to attend hospitals.
The 42-year-old even used her Toyota Yaris as a makeshift ambulance, taking patients into hospitals for check-ups to reduce the strain on emergency services.
What is even more remarkable is that Ms Sharaf has diabetes and asthma, leaving her exposed to a severe Covid infection in the first few months of the pandemic before vaccinations offered widespread protection.
“At the start of the pandemic, many patients were scared and worried about what was happening,” she said.
“We could not accommodate everyone at the health centre and other patients were afraid to go to hospital because of Covid.
“My role changed to going out into the community, particularly to help low-income workers.
“The Dubai Health Authority was giving amazing services to people who had Covid, but communication was really important at that time.
“I told people not to worry, and gave my number out so they could call me if they needed anything.”
Ms Sharaf, who has been in the UAE for 19 years, works at the Al Khawaneej Health Centre and lives in Sharjah with her husband.
Her son is a 20-year-old medical student and her daughter is aged 9.
Hospital shifts would generally finish at 3pm, but rather than go home, Ms Sharaf would venture out into communities around Sharjah, Deira, Rashidiya and Al Quoz to help deliver on-the-ground care and pandemic updates.
Many communities were in lockdown, but her role as a frontline health worker allowed her to travel freely around the city.
Ms Sharaf carried an oximeter with her to do Covid checks on people showing symptoms, then took them into hospital in her own car. She visited multiple houses to check on reported cases and helped people isolate to reduce the risk of infecting others.
“Many people lost their jobs or had little money, but needed to go to hospital,” she said.
“I tried to help as many as possible by giving them lifts. I set up a Whatsapp group so people could get hold of me easily, whenever they needed.
“For a few months, my husband helped to cook up some meal packs with chicken and rice to give to people in these communities who had lost their work.
“My family were worried as I had no vaccine, and I also had my own health conditions to deal with. I reassured them that it was the right thing to do.”
In September 2020, Ms Sharaf caught Covid and was admitted to hospital for two weeks, but that experience did not deter her from doing the job she loves.
She is one of 10 international finalists, who come from India, the UK, America, Kenya, Australia and Afghanistan.
Her colleagues and friends put her name forward for the award.
Although she has shrugged off thoughts of winning, the $250,000 prize would be life-changing and help support her children’s education.
“I have some loans to repay and my husband lost his job as a limo driver, so it has been difficult for us,” she said.
“I want to give some money to poorer people who need it more than me, but also support my family.”
Nurses were selected from more than 24,000 who applied from 184 countries.
Finalists were selected by a stringent review process run independently by consultants Ernst and Young and a jury.
Applications were evaluated to create a shortlist of 181, which was whittled down to 41. The top-10 finalists were then announced.
Nominees were asked to enter based on four areas of contribution: leadership, research and innovation, and patient care and community service.
The winner will be announced on May 12, which is also International Nurses Day.
Dr Azad Moopen, managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, said the award was recognition of a challenging time for health workers.
“During this pandemic, their critical contribution with dedication and sacrifice, putting their own safety and lives at risk, was brought to the forefront globally,” he said.
“We thought that it appropriate to institute a global level award for the nurses to recognise the members of this noble profession."
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ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The five pillars of Islam
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
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GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
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