During the , healthcare professionals in the UAE face the unique challenge of balancing their religious observance with the demands of their demanding jobs.

For first responders like Dr Karishma Wahab, the month often means breaking their fast on the go, all while handling life-or-death situations.

One of Dr Karishma's occurred when, as a general practitioner working in the emergency department at Aster Hospital Sharjah, she broke her fast at 11pm. Just before iftar, a mother of two arrived with a life-threatening emergency.

“The patient arrived just before iftar with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy,” she recalled. “We immediately took her to the operating theatre to complete the surgery, and we were able to save her life. I remember breaking my fast at 11pm that day, but the joy of saving a mother’s life, saving a family, was worth it.”

Dr Karishma Wahab

For many healthcare workers, Ramadan means breaking their fast while dealing with emergencies. While some may have a moment to sip water or eat dates, for others, there’s no opportunity to pause as they race against time to save lives.

Emergencies are a constant for healthcare workers, often causing meals to take a backseat. Dr Mohamed Elhassan, an orthopaedic and trauma surgery resident in Dubai, shared how he spent three days in the operating theater last week.

"Sometimes scheduled surgeries run over time due to complications, and other times it's an emergency," he explained. "One day, an elderly woman was brought in after falling and breaking her hip. We went into the operating room by 5pm and didn't finish until 7.30pm."

Dr Mohamed Elhassan

Given the complexity of such surgeries, Dr Elhassan had to remain in the theatre even after the surgeon left. "It is my job to stay in the operation theatre until the last stitch is done, the cast is put, and everything is complete,” he explained.

"I finally came out of the theatre around 8.20pm. I quickly grabbed a sip of water to break my fast because there was nothing else," he added.

After ensuring the patient was stable, he left and finally had his first meal of the day at 10pm at a fast food joint on his way home.

For Emirati nurse Rahaf Ahmed Aldahmani, who works at Medcare Hospital, the biggest challenge is finding time to eat during her shifts. "I don’t always have a proper break, and I often end up rushing my meals, leading to unhealthy food choices," she said. "Dehydration is also an issue, as I sometimes forget to drink enough water, and there’s the guilt of taking time away from patient care."

Despite these challenges, Rahaf is dedicated to providing the best care to her patients. "Once, a patient came in for a routine check-up, and during the assessment, I noticed something off with their vital signs. At first, I thought it was , but I probed further and discovered a serious underlying condition that, if left unchecked, could have been life-threatening."

After her shift, Rahaf focuses on rehydrating and eating a balanced meal for Suhoor. "I take a short nap to recharge and spend time in prayer, which helps me feel centered," she said. "Spending time with my daughter and family helps me unwind before getting ready for the next day." 

For Karina Suriben, a nurse at Medeor Hospital’s paediatric department in Abu Dhabi, striking a balance is key during Ramadan. "Challenges arise when a patient experiences high fever or low oxygen saturation, requiring immediate transfer to the emergency room as ordered by the doctor. In such situations, prioritising patient care takes precedence over breaking the fast and we have to remain focused.”

Karina Suriben

Karina has witnessed a variety of urgent situations while on the job. “From a fasting patient experiencing complications after a blood test, to someone having convulsions from a high fever, or to a patirnt who has passed out from high blood pressure or a heart attack case, or even a pregnant woman who is fasting, I have seen a lot.

"In these situations, acting swiftly and efficiently is crucial, often requiring us to put everything else aside to focus on saving lives," she said.