During the beginning of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Egyptian doctor, Marwa Akr, focused on improving the immunity of her four daughters because it was a primary barrier in confronting the disease.
As a doctor of Internal Medicine doctor at the Tanta Mental Health Hospital, Akr, 42, was on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. This however, did not prevent her from contracting the disease.
She told Asharq Al-Awsat how she first noticed minor symptoms, such as a constant headache, a high fever and abdominal pain. She later noticed the same symptoms in one of her daughters and that’s when she decided to take a test.
The symptoms appeared during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Even though Akr is a doctor, she had to go through three hospitals before being able to take the test.
She and her daughter tested positive for coronavirus.
“It was difficult to determine the source of the infection,” she said, explaining that the symptoms emerged soon after her husband came in contact with a large number of people during a wake for his deceased mother.
Her husband became infected soon after, and he likely passed on the virus to Akr and their daughter, Rimas.
Akr and Rimas were forced to remain in quarantine at hospital for two weeks. The husband soon joined them. The remaining three daughters were forced to stay with their grandmother until their parents recovered.
Akr remarked how the tables turned against her, from doctor to patient, as she underwent treatment for the virus.
“I was able to experience the difficult situation and harsh psychological turmoil quarantine patients endure,” she recalled. “Most patients were feeling down and awaiting death.”
She said she was worried that such a negative environment would impact her ten-year-old daughter. She also spoke of the sense of panic among the attending nurses, some of whom were fresh graduates.
Akr revealed that during her stay and coming from her experience as a doctor, she managed to grow close to the nurses and medical staff, including the hospital director. “We were allowed to grant the quarantine patients greater space to leave their rooms and walk the hospital halls,” she said.
“We sterilized a large abandoned balcony at the hospital and gave patients a space where they could enjoy the sun,” she added. Gradually, people’s morale began to improve.
Rimas, meanwhile, preoccupied herself with her studies. She studied diligently through the education ministry’s online platform. She also helped other children confined in quarantine cope with their new surroundings.
Akr, her husband and daughter have since recovered from the disease. Akr is now dedicating most of her time in supporting patients who are isolating at home.
“I tell my daughter that perhaps God wanted us to experience quarantine in order to help others,” she noted, revealing that she was still in contact with several of the patients she met during her treatment period.
They have all joined a WhatsApp group that they dedicate to gathering plasma donations to help other patients.
