“I am not afraid of COVID 19,” said Dr Javid Aziz, contending: “I am afraid for my parents, grandparents and persons out there who are susceptible, which is why we need to protect ourselves and loved ones.”

Dr Aziz is a member of the COVID-19 Task Force in Region Six, East Berbice/Corentyne.

When the first COVID-19 case was recorded in Guyana in March, “Aziz”, as he is popularly called, was a permanent government medical officer within the Department of Internal Medicine.

He had just started working along with the Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency (TB and HIV) clinics at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.

But following the announcement of the advent of the disease, each region was ordered to establish a COVID-19 Taskforce and Dr Aziz, though initially nervous to join the team, quickly reminded himself of the Hippocratic Oath which he swore to uphold, that is, to serve and heal with pride and dignity.

Since the Region Six task force came into being, Dr Aziz has been tasked with checking patients, conducting COVID-19 surveillance and swabbing persons who visit the clinic.

He is on call any hour of the day.

The task force is made up of a team of dedicated workers who labour tirelessly, sometimes jumping out of their beds or leaving behind whatever they are doing, just to serve humanity.

Dr Aziz was also quick to note that laboratory staff, cleaners and janitors are also as committed to their work as frontline workers.

Though assigned to Region Six, recently he had travelled to Region One (Barima- Waini), which had become the epicentre for the coronavirus in Guyana. There, he served for three weeks during the July/ August period, assisting the region in the fight against the pandemic.

He was also part of outreaches to other communities across the country, including Mabaruma.

Apart from service to humanity, Dr Aziz has a passion for cooking.

THERAPEUTIC

“For me, cooking is therapeutic, especially when I am not on the frontlines. I see cooking as an art. It helps ease my mind and take me away from a stressful environment. I am also passionate about philanthropy. I like to help the poor and the unfortunate, as I feel they too need free and fair opportunities, especially to an education. I came from hardship and I did not grow up with everything. I know how it feels to have someone look down on you…. We must never forget where we came from,” he said.

Dr Aziz was ushered into the world through the skillful hands of now retired Nurse/Midwife, Adams (only name) on December 23, 1992 at the Rampoor, Corriverton home of his paternal grandparents, Faizoon and Abdul Aziz called “Slab”.

His mother, Deowattie, a housewife, and his father, Abdul Aziz, a hire car driver, were elated at the birth of their first born. His sister, Arifa, soon followed.

Life was not perfect but the doctor credits his parents for the sacrifices which afforded him the opportunity to attend the Springlands Nursery and Corriverton Primary School, where he graduated as the valedictorian in 2004. Five years after, he again graduated as the top student at his alma mater, Skeldon Line Path Secondary School.

Dr Aziz’s love for medicine started since in his boyhood days when he would strip his toys and teddy bears just to have a peek inside just to see how they function. He would also place his grandmother’s blood pressure apparatus cuff around the family cat to test the pressure of the animal.

After completing high school, he shared his aspirations of becoming a doctor to family and friends but was greeted with “You will never become a doctor”.

STEPPING STONE

Dr Aziz used the criticism as a stepping stone to make his dream a reality.

“Not willing to dwell in the negativity, I successfully applied for a scholarship to study medicine in Cuba at the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina in Havana and subsequently the University of Juan Gutierrez Xener in Matanzas, Cuba,” he told this publication, adding: “Studying was tough. It required dedication and sleepless nights. Depression grabbed me. Finances were an issue. I had thoughts of returning home. But it was not an option. I did not have another career choice.”

However, a wind of change brought many persons in his life, resulting in him appreciating the many cultures and lifestyles.

On completing studies in 2017, Dr Aziz served his internship under the Cuban Brigade at Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast and at the New Amsterdam and Port Mourant hospitals in the Berbice County.

Thereafter, he was appointed a government medical officer with attachment at Skeldon Hospital before being assigned to the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.

With the spike in COVID-19 cases, Dr Aziz is pleading with all and sundry to stay at home and adhere to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines to flatten the curve.