Al Syouri: Balancing Family Life and Work in the EMS

Al-Bireh - Since the Public Health Emergency was declared in the oPt on March 5th, the emergency medical technician (EMT) Ahmad Al Syouri (24), originally from Bethlehem, has been assigned to PRCS Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Center in Al-Bireh. He has not been back home to Bethlehem ever since.

Ahmad constantly eyes his cellphone: it is after all the only means he has to contact his mother, make sure she is alright and inform her of all Coronavirus-related developments. Ahmad knows he can be dispatched on a new assignment anytime, and he perks up his ears every time the phone rings in the Center.

When the virus first broke out in Bethlehem, Ahmad decided to stay in Ramallah alongside tens of other EMTs in order to partake in efforts to limit the spread of the virus in cooperation with relevant Palestinian bodies.

Ahmad started volunteering with PRCS in 2012. After he earned his nursing diploma, he joined PRCS as a full-time EMT. “I was working at the EMS Center in Al-Bireh when the pandemic broke out in Bethlehem. I consulted my superiors and decided to stay in Al-Bireh”, Ahmad said.

He added: “when the virus spread to Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate, our workload increased drastically. On some days, we had to work several consecutive shifts. I was always ready to assist in any way I could”.

Staying away from his family was not an easy choice but necessary.

Ahmad explained: “Many weeks have passed since the health emergency started, but I decided to stay in Al-Bireh even though I miss my mom and family. I am terrified of inadvertently transmitting the virus to them, even though I observe all necessary precautionary and safety measures as instructed by PRCS”.

Ahmad continues to eye his phone, waiting for his mom to call. He prays for the pandemic to end so he can be reunited with his family in Bethlehem.

End.