Although the days of Easter have become associated with family and people look forward to celebrating the Resurrection of the God-Man, there is also the other side. Our fellow human beings who fight for their lives in hospitals, as well as the staff who support them relentlessly.
But the big battle is fought by the little heroes in the pediatric wards. Each room and a story. Children suffering from various diseases or who have ended up in Makarios from an accident. Children suffering from cancer and struggling to emerge victorious in life.
Next to them and these days, at their posts, loyal "guards" the doctors and nurses. They too leave their families to remain on duty, next to the patient, next to the person.
One of these health professionals who for years has consistently stood by the little heroes of the pediatric wards is the Director of the Pediatric Clinic of Makarios Hospital, Dr. Abraham Ilia.
"Once again I am on duty especially for those little children who cannot celebrate no matter how many days of joy there are. For these babies who are unfortunately fighting for life, some intubated, others in critical condition," Dr. Ilias tells Cyprus Times.
And he explains that they themselves cannot celebrate or rejoice when innocent souls are lost next to them, yet they do their utmost to give them generous strength and courage. "As long as there are children in this condition, with cancer or other illnesses, as long as babies are unjustly lost, we can only sympathize with their families. After all, we feel like family too, since they are hospitalized in our own wards."
"What is more painful to lose a child at the time of the Resurrection. We are overwhelmed by every unjust loss."
The staff's task in addition to medical treatment and care is to give, as Dr. Elias describes, joy and support to mitigate the pain and grief.
"We try as much as possible to give joy by distributing gifts to the little children. We strive to do our best so that their absence from the family table does not show. When there is facility we give discharge, but there are children whose lives are in danger and we cannot risk it," he said.
Particularly touching, as the doctor stresses, is the process of the procession of the epitaph inside the Makareio Hospital that takes place every year and the Resurrection that is celebrated earlier, in the chapel located outside the Intensive Care Unit."
"Our goal is to get children and parents into the spirit of the holidays. To be spiritually empowered. This is important for the staff themselves." And the staff themselves experience, as the doctor underlines, difficult times away from their loved ones during these days.
"The staff often asks themselves, why should life be unfair and cruel towards these little children. And for us it is an opportunity to reflect and be spiritually empowered. Even I feel guilty for leaving my family during the holidays but on the other hand I think they should feel happy because they are healthy. What more painful to lose a little child at the time of resurrection. We are devastated by any unjust loss of any child... and unfortunately we have experienced such moments."[/P "THE HOSPITAL CANNOT BE CLOSED. THERE ARE emergencies such as various traffic accidents, or accidents that happen during the holidays. Our wish is to minimize casualties especially during this period and stay away from such unfortunate incidents," he concluded.
Dr. Abraham Ilias
The "X-ray" of Makareion, staff and actions
Speaking to the Cyprus Times the Scientific Director of Makareion Hospital Dr. Christos Minas noted that, the Arch. Makarios III is an innovative and specialized hospital that aims to provide high quality medical and nursing health services to both mother and child.
At the same time, when asked about this, he pointed out that the wards that treat children at the hospital are a total of 8 and are composed of Pediatric I, Pediatric II, Pediatric Surgery, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Pediatric Oncology, Pediatric Psychiatry and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that treats newborns.
"38 nurses and 11 doctors work in PICU I and PICU II, 15 nurses and 7 doctors in Pediatric Surgery, 19 nurses and 4 doctors in Pediatric Oncology, 19 nurses and 4 doctors in NICU, 19 nurses and 4 doctors in ICU and 46 nurses and 7 doctors in NICU."
As Dr. Minas, despite the difficulties arising due to the pandemic, activities were organized and gifts were delivered, such as Easter candles, Easter eggs, toys, buns in accordance with health protocols.
"The staff is always there for the young patients and parents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The primary purpose of the doctors is to provide care and medical assistance to the children and their parents."
As Dr. Mena explained, the medical care and safety of young patients is a priority and is ensured through continuous education and upgrading of the services offered to the mother and child.
"This struggle is continuous and involves the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health, the OCYPY, the Association of Organized Patients, governmental and non-governmental associations, friends of the various clinics of NAMII with decisive contributions to the formulation and implementation of actions," he concluded.
Dr. Christos Minas
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