By Staff Reporter

Rashid Hospital nurse Soumya Augustine, 41, remembered as a dedicated professional, devoted mother and source of inspiration

DUBAI: Nurses from across the UAE gathered in Dubai on Saturday to bid an emotional farewell to Soumya Augustine, an Indian expatriate nurse who died after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.

Augustine, 41, worked in the cardiology department at Rashid Hospital and was a mother of three. She died on Thursday night while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Dubai, with her husband and close family members by her side.

Colleagues and friends remembered her as a compassionate nurse who continued caring for patients while privately facing her own health challenges.

Cancer discovered during Covid-19

Augustine’s cancer was discovered during a routine medical examination at the hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following treatment, she remained largely free of symptoms for several years. However, the disease later returned, forcing her to take sick leave as she underwent further treatment.

Colleagues said she rarely spoke about her illness and continued to maintain a positive outlook.

“She never allowed her illness to become a burden or a reason to complain. Hers was a silent battle, and she continued to smile,” one colleague said.

Her youngest child was only a few months old when she was initially diagnosed, according to her colleagues.

Nursing fraternity gathers to mourn

Funeral prayers were held at an embalming centre in Al Muhaisnah on Saturday afternoon, attended by family members, friends, colleagues and members of the UAE’s nursing community.

Nurses from Rashid Hospital and other hospitals across the country joined the farewell. Members of the nursing fraternity at her church in Sharjah also attended.

The Emirates Malayali Nurses Family (EMNF), a social network representing thousands of Malayali nurses in the UAE, was among those who paid tribute.

EMNF president Siyad K Jamaludeen said Augustine was well loved by her colleagues.

“Many of them attended the funeral prayer. Rashid Hospital also arranged a bus to transport her colleagues to the centre,” he said.

The organisation expressed its condolences to Augustine’s family, describing her as a woman whose courage, positivity and kindness had touched those around her.

Remembered for her kindness

Her nursing colleagues also paid tribute to her dedication and compassion, remembering her as someone who consistently put others first.

They described her as a caring professional, loving family member and loyal friend whose positive spirit inspired many people around her.

Augustine’s body was repatriated to Kerala on Saturday night. Her husband and children accompanied her remains home, where her funeral is scheduled to take place.

Her death has left colleagues across the UAE nursing community mourning the loss of a professional remembered not only for her service to patients, but also for the warmth and strength she showed throughout her personal struggle.

Source: Gulf News