'I take day shifts instead afternoon during Ramadan'

Dubai - Treatment for patients depends on different modalities. Many times, Mehreen has to help patients with their exercises and stretches.

Days in Ramadan are all sorted out, says Mehreen H Memon, senior physiotherapist at Aster Hospital, Mankhool. "The days are sorted because of the prayers times, chores to be done and the work schedule." 
Mehreen's work routine as a physiotherapist is different all year's round. "In Ramadan, I do the day shift instead of the usual afternoon one," she says.
On days other than Ramadan, Mehreen says, they do not have to wake up early morning. "Am up by 3am in Ramadan and normally just have light food such as dates and milk for Suhoor."
"I then pray and rest for a while before heading off to work at around 6 to 6.30am because work starts at 8am," says the Indian national who has been residing in Dubai for the past three years.
She says that she feels better in Ramadan than many of the other days. "I don't get tired that much because of the disciplined days that we follow in this holy month. Except for the need for water in the starting of the month, fasting is not very difficult."
At work, Mehreen sees 14-15 patients in the six-hour duty during Ramadan, which is not much of a change from her usual working days.
"I see a patient every half an hour," she says. 
Most of the times, the patients need counseling which is also part of her job. "I take the patient history, suggest exercises, sometimes make the patients do exercises since some of them are not able to do them on their own and many times suggest home programmes for many of them too," she explains her work routine.
Treatment for patients depends on different modalities. Many times, Mehreen has to help patients with their exercises and stretches. "This causes exertion, especially in cases of children who run away. It is then a task," she adds.
For patients with neck and back pains, it is easy, she says, since they are prescribed a home programme. "But we have patients who have knee replacement surgeries or ligament injuries and they have to be shown how to exercise and this can be a bit hectic in Ramadan," she says. 
Once she is off at 2pm, Mehreen heads home to rest for a while before getting ready for Iftar. "After Iftar, the routine is again all sorted out - prayers, sometimes Iftar parties and meeting with friends until it is time to sleep again," she says.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ramadan 2021
• Dubai