For some of those on the front lines in the fight against dengue, the highest service is sacrificing their lives for the cause.
Such was the case for Asma Kanwal. A 17-year-old student at Lahore General Hospital’s (LGH) nursing school, she contracted dengue 10 days ago while attending to patients at the dengue ward. On Wednesday, Asma breathed her last in the Intensive Care Unit, where she was taken after fainting in her ward.
“Asma offered her life fighting for the national cause of curbing dengue. She should be awarded the Tamgha-e-Shujaat for her service,” said Dr Tariq Salahuddin, the principal of the Post Graduate Medical Institute, which is affiliated with the LGH, at a condolence meeting held for Asma on Wednesday evening at the hospital.
The Punjab government, Salahuddin said, should also ensure that her bereaved family is assisted financially.
The meeting was attended by sombre classmates of Asma’s from nursing school, her professors, the nursing school’s principal, members from the school’s administration and the LGH medical superintendent.
Asma hailed from Kot Addu in southern Punjab and had joined the nursing school last year. But in the one year that Asma spent in the profession, her passion to serve inspired everyone she came in contact with. “We will miss her a lot,” said a teary-eyed colleague of Asma’s who described her as extremely diligent and a hard worker. “She was a wonderful friend and an excellent human being.”
“Asma was a well behaved and dutiful girl. She worked day and night to serve dengue patients without caring about her shifts,” said LGH nursing school Principal Ishrat Ishaq. “Her death has truly upheld the honour of the white dress the nurses wear.”
(Read: In dengue fever you go ‘dinga’)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2011.
COMMENTS (16)
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Great Asma, “We will miss her a lot,”
Great Example of compassion RIP
May Allah bless her. No doubt, she is a 'Shaheed' who laid her life in the service of this country. She deserves to be given an award and Punjab govt. should announce that immediately.
May Allah Almighty rest her soul in peace. She is a real 'Shaheed' who laid down her life for the lives of others. I salute her parents and convey my condolence to them.
The best award would be the eradication of Dengue.
@jan you are obsessed with hating India, they have lot of good things that you must follow, I am a Pakistani but I haven't lost my sanity. Muslims in general but Pakistan in particular put the religion ahead of financial decisions. I have seen doctors and nurses who are eager to work for almost half the amount of money in Mecca and median than to work in Damman or Riyadh as if Saudia Arabia is the center of world. I hardly see any Pakistani nurse making to Europe or America but you will see loads of Indian nurses in Europe and America. Admit it and get some life. Pakistani nurses are compassionate but they are poorly treated, badly educated and less confident. They could shine the globe but lack of adequate training facilities and workplace bullying has tarnished this profession. The workplace sexual harassment is at peak in major hospitals all over the Pakistan.
May her soul RIP - God must have needed a nurse up there and so Asma's calling came earlier than expected.
Asma you have made your country proud by your selfless and brave service to humanity. The government must not delay the award and benefits as recommended by the administration of the hospital.
Respect. Period.
Salute to Asma..!
Hats off to young Asma who has set an example of bravery and professionalism for the others to follow. Unfortunately the nursing profession is most underrated in Pakistan. While in most other countries of the world it is highly respected and rewarding. Let us hope and pray that after Asma’s example, the nurses would be regarded with the respect they deserve. Asma’s family must be recognized and compensated for their big loss. It cannot be the substitute for a human being but would be a token of her great work in her field. We love you and are proud of you Asma!
The paid Indian trolls will come up with something negative about this too.
Thank you for your service and rest in peace!
The little Nightingale...
Great work sister, may your you soul rest in peace.
Thank you Asma. You were a brave girl but the nature did not give you much time to serve the humanity. May you rest in peace.