Frontline Worker of the Week is… Dr. Javid Imran Aziz

Sep 20, 2020 News

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“We need to protect ourselves and loved ones by taking all necessary precautions. But being on the task force brings on a certain adrenaline rush that I love and, so far, it has been a great experience working with the best team and helping our communities.”

By Malisa Playter-Harry

As the world continues to change and adapt drastically to the new way of living and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to linger, the role of medical professionals to combat

the disease in order to help save lives has been never-ending. Working long hours, sacrificing personal time and bravely waking up to face another day has become the new norm for health workers, especially those in the heat of the battle on the country’s frontlines. Over the past few months Kaieteur News has featured several amazing and selfless health care workers who go beyond the call of duty during this difficult phase of our lives. The country will forever be indebted to those valiant workers who continue to be dedicated to the job using their skills to help fight COVID-19.
Today we feature Dr. Javid Imran Aziz of Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne, Berbice. Born to Deowattie Aziz, a housewife, and Abdul Aziz, a taxi driver, the young and brilliant doctor was born in Rampoor, Skeldon and later moved to his current place of residence. He is the elder of two children born to his parents. During a recent interview he spoke of attending the Springlands Nursery School, then the Corriverton Primary School where he graduated as valedictorian in 2004 before heading to the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School where he performed exceptionally well and again graduated as valedictorian.
He later pursued studies in Havana, Cuba at the Escuela Latino Americana De Medicina (ELAM) and subsequently the University of Juan Gutierrez Gener ain Matanzas, Cuba.
FASCINATED
Dr. Aziz told Kaieteur News that his desire was to always become a doctor and that was the only career choice throughout his life that he was serious of making a reality one day. He said he was fascinated by the human body and how it performed, his curiosity had him performing examinations on teddy bears and other toys he had, he said amidst a chuckle.

“There was this one time I fitted my grandmother’s blood pressure cuff around a cat to take its blood pressure. And I always played doctor and patient with my friends. As time shuffled by, my fascination only grew, and putting a smile on people’s faces became a hobby. I loved helping people. But I also knew that being in the medical profession was very prestigious, and I wanted to be respected! I knew that a lot of times, people are constantly being disrespected and thrown aside for being less fortunate and I wanted to make a difference,” he said.
POSITIVITY
The doctor said that he was once told that he could never become a doctor, but he quickly turned those brutal words of discouragement into something positive. It was the fuel of positivity that drove his motivation “to rise up and prove people wrong”.
He said that he decided to apply for a scholarship to study in Cuba since the finances were not available to him. “It was free and that was all my parents and I could afford at that time,” he confided, adding, “it was a decision that I have not regretted to date.”
Sharing a bit of his exhilarating experience while studying in Cuba, Dr. Aziz said the opportunity provided to him allowed him to experience other cultures and lifestyles and fostered friendships that remain even today.
“It was such a beautiful place with so many selfless people who would invite you into their homes and give you the last plate of food they can afford. Cuba has made me so much more open-minded and made me a better person inside and out,” he said.

Upon completion of studies in Cuba in 2017, the doctor mentioned that he served as an intern under the Cuban Brigade at the Suddie, New Amsterdam, Skeldon and Port Mourant hospitals. He then began working as a Government Medical Officer. He is presently at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital and is one of the doctors on the Region Six COVID-19 Task Force.
FEARLESS
His role on the task force is to execute daily surveillance, diagnosing and treating patients with the deadly Coronavirus. While sharing his experiences, Dr. Aziz said although he volunteered to be on the taskforce, at first he was “a bit nervous”. However, after thinking it through he realised that “this is what I signed up for and this is my chance to help my people recover and help flatten the curve of COVID-19.” Such thoughts have propelled him to a place of fearlessness.
He continues to work with the mindset that “we swore an oath to protect, serve and heal and we should do that with pride and dignity”.

The fearless doctor also mentioned that he volunteered in Region One during the early stages of the disease outbreak there. He added that while he is not fearful of dealing with patients with COVID-19 his biggest concern is for his parents, grandparents and persons who are more susceptible. “We need to protect ourselves and loved ones by taking all necessary precautions. But being on the task force brings on a certain adrenaline rush that I love and, so far, it has been a great experience working with the best team and helping our communities,” he said.
DEDICATED
The doctor stated that he got involved in the task force because of the impact the pandemic has had on everyone, and he believes that help is desperately needed to eradicate COVID-19 so that the lives of people can return to some sort of normalcy.
According to Dr. Aziz, “as a frontline worker, I had to distance myself to a certain extent from my family and friends in order the keep them and myself safe. Sometimes work might be both physically and mentally strenuous, especially because of the working hours.”
In order to distract himself, he said, “I would usually watch movies and read books. I also love to cook and try new recipes, which is very therapeutic for me. I see cooking as an art, and it helps to take my mind off work for a bit.”
He believes that the work that the COVID-19 team plays is vital to flattening the curve and reducing the disease spread. “Prevention is always better than cure, and our main aim is to prevent this virus from spreading any further and saving the lives of persons who are infected,” he said.
According to the doctor too, “As much as we are working out here tirelessly, we need the public to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines to stay safe and protected. By doing so, our job becomes much easier. Remember, you can save a life just by washing your hands and wearing a mask,” the dedicated Dr. Aziz reminded.

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