How wheelchair-bound UAE citizen gives back to healthcare
As a child born with a disability, Marwa Hasan Alsayedabbas Alfardan was a regular patient at hospitals and doctors’ clinics for physiotherapy. That had been the routine for so many years. In her words, these visits shaped her personality and encouraged her in more than one way.
Now at 21 years of age, she is in a position to help other patients as a Guest Service Executive at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi. “Most people don’t feel comfortable in hospitals. I felt otherwise. I felt right at home in a hospital. For someone who knew that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, I had always wanted to give back to the community the support that I was given when I most needed it,” Marwa said.
As an ambassador for the event, Marwa is responsible for the representation of the Emirati culture as well as the organization, serving as the ideal role model for other women. In her wheelchair, she is able to relocate around the area and perform a number of functions including patient interactions, appointment booking, and ensuring that the service is up to the expectations of the patients. Only a few days ago, our colleague Marwa took a significant step forward by serving one of the ambassadors in Burjeel Holdings’ initiative to help promote and enhance Emirati talents.
53 talented Emiratis were selected and promoted to different leadership positions on the country’s 53rd birthday in what aimed to be the first of many events aimed at seeking leadership of the organization.
A journey of resilience
Marwa graduated from high school and in June 2024, she commenced her first job at Burjeel Hospital which she is executing quite well.
Confirming appointments and reminding patients to show up for their visits are part of her shifts. She comments: “There are times when clinics get congested and patients might have to wait. Even then, I do my best to make sure patients do not sit idle for long and go to see the nurse. I am able to handle all this when the system is slow or the work is high.”
Her day-to-day activities are quite challenging but work-wise she appears to take it in her stride. An elderly patient recently thought that Marwa did not attend to him and that he had to locate her. He did not notice that Marwa was in a wheelchair.
When he became cognizant of that, he began to apologize. What began as a misunderstanding developed into respect for one another and a situation that could have been unfavorable, with respect turned on its head.
According to her, she didn’t take any of her challenges lightly. She proudly stated “I am a very determined person. Learning new things and struggling for them is what I enjoy doing. If there’s a problem area that I can’t handle, I seek help without any qualms.”
Away from work, Marwa is further inspired by art. Art has always been a love of hers, and she wishes to have one of her exhibitions in the future. “Art lets me show what I am made of,” she said.
Recognition as an Etihad Ambassador is for her, a dream come true. “This recognition is something that I take great pride in. It tells people that if they want something badly, it can be achieved,” she said. “I would like, through my story, to encourage people from my society to chase their dreams however difficult the circumstances may be.”
Emirati talents
The programme acknowledged quite a number of other Emirati participants, including for instance an 18-year old young woman who manages a busy schedule at a 9-to-5 workplace and is still attending high school. Maryam Salem Al Falasi is employed at Medeor Hospital, Dubai as a customer service specialist and hopes to pursue in future a degree in business.
“Nafis provided me with an opportunity to kickstart my career rather early, I feel a lot of youth should pursue this route. It is really wonderful,” she said.
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