Upon her return from the Al Arish border, where she assisted victims from Gaza, Dr. Mariam Nuaimi brought back a 11-year-old boy who remains her most memorable patient. 'He arrived alone, without any limbs,' she recounted to Khaleej Times. 'Every half hour, he would wake up crying for his bag. Inside, he had a piece of rotten bread and his mother's scarf, who had perished in Gaza.'
Dr. Mariam, a consultant in emergency medicine at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, spoke at the Emirati Women's Day event in Expo City Dubai, which celebrated the contributions of Emirati women on the frontlines and in humanitarian roles. She tearfully described her emotional landing in Abu Dhabi after a demanding 24-hour mission, where the sight of severe injuries and children without parents was overwhelming.
Since November, several injured Gazans have been treated in UAE hospitals, following directives from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. At the same event, Dr. Ayesha Al Memari, the first Emirati female civilian physician to volunteer in Yemen, shared her experience with a kidnapping simulation during her humanitarian fellowship. Despite initial reservations about working in a war zone, she ultimately decided to volunteer in Yemen, reflecting on her ability to lead and support her team.
Dr. Ayesha has since engaged in various volunteer efforts globally, always prepared to assist with limited resources, inspired by her kidnapping simulation training. She has pursued activities like mountain hiking, horse riding, and running, preparing for potential emergencies. Additionally, she has acquired a yacht license, learned cycling, and is working towards her pilot license.
Dr. Salama Al Sahli, a specialist in pediatric emergency, also participated in rescue missions, including one where she cared for a three-month-old baby during a six-hour flight, taking on the role of a mother. The event at Expo City Dubai, organized by Maha Gorton, aimed to highlight and honor the impactful work of these women.
