UAE nurses bid tearful farewell to Indian expat nurse in Dubai after silent cancer battle

On Saturday afternoon, a somber gathering of nurses from across the UAE took place in Dubai to bid farewell to Soumya Augustine, an Indian expatriate nurse from Kerala who had bravely battled lung cancer. A dedicated member of the cardiology department at Rashid Hospital, Soumya passed away on Thursday night during a treatment session at a private clinic in the emirate. She was just 41 years old, leaving behind her husband and three young children.

Soumya's journey with cancer had been a silent one, as her illness was discovered during a routine test amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to early detection, she managed to keep her symptoms in check for several years. However, the cancer eventually relapsed, leading to her recent sick leave to concentrate on her treatment. Her youngest child was merely a few months old when the diagnosis was first made.

The farewell ceremony took place at an embalming center in Al Muhaisnah, attended by nurses from Rashid Hospital and other UAE hospitals, her bereaved family, and members of her church in Sharjah. The Emirates Malayali Nurses Family (EMNF), a social network comprising thousands of Malayali nurses working in the UAE, also contributed to the emotional tribute. Soumya's body was repatriated on Saturday night, with her final journey to Kerala for her funeral completed the following day.

Condolences and tributes poured in from across the nursing fraternity and friends, acknowledging Soumya's strength, positivity, and unwavering spirit. Colleagues hailed her as a true fighter who never relinquished hope, even in the face of adversity. Her ability to maintain her smile throughout her illness was hailed as an inspiration to those around her.