For 30-year-old Dr Philicia Findlay-Hardyal, working on Christmas Day has always been a privilege but this Christmas Day will be extra-special for her as she hopes to ensure that critically ill COVID-19 patients feel special despite not being able to see their families or loved ones.
From day one, Findlay-Hardyal has been on the frontlines of Guyana’s healthcare response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is one of eight doctors who volunteered to work in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) prior to the pandemic’s presence in the country. Her husband, a gynecologist, also works with COVID-19 patients.
The first case of COVID-19 was recorded on March 11. The following months would see the confirmation of more than 6,000 COVID-19 cases in Guyana and over 150 deaths due to the virus.