Top Saudi doctor defeats COVID-19 following 3-week treatment
One of Saudi Arabia’s top doctors has defeated COVID-19 and has left the hospital where he was treated for three weeks.
Dr. Nezar Bahabri is an infectious disease consultant who had a steady presence on TV screens and social media platforms even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early March.
During the outbreak he had been helping spread awareness about the importance of taking steps to battle the spread of the disease as well as fighting fake news about it.
The consultant addressed his discharge from hospital in a short social media post that also explained why he was admitted in the first place.
“I’m Nezar Bahabri and I was infected by coronavirus,” was the short but straightforward start to the post.
The consultant confessed to making the mistake of taking it easy when it came to precautionary measures and wearing a mask, ignoring the warning signs before his health deteriorated.
“I, like hundreds and thousands of heroes before me, were performing our duties treating patients infected and got infected with the same infection that we were treating patients for.”
With an oxygen tank by his side, he sent a message to “the white army” and urged them to wear a mask and not make the same mistakes he did.
His second piece of advice was to never ignore the signs. “Even my patients would tell me that I looked ill, I would ignore (that) and take pain killers,” he said.
“My advice is to calm down and learn.”
Videos of his ICU discharge circulated on social media, with staff showering him with flowers in celebration of his release after three weeks in the unit.
But, in line with his usual style, Bahabri continued to advise his followers and specifically COVID-19 patients to never give up.
He described the three weeks as the hardest of his life, and reminded people that 80 percent of confirmed COVID-19 patients had mild symptoms.
“If you are from the 20 percent and your breathing is constricted, head to the hospital and don’t wait,” he said, adding that if the fever lasted more than five days then patients must head to the hospital.
“Remember, less than 5 percent of patients with breathing complications due to COVID-19 are admitted to the ICU.”
He warned anyone with symptoms to stay vigilant and not to neglect their health. He expressed his gratitude for everyone’s prayers and said he would continue with his rehabilitation at home until he was fully recovered.
His final advice to everyone was to be patient. “Life doesn’t stop,” he said.
During the outbreak he had been helping spread awareness about the importance of taking steps to battle the spread of the disease as well as fighting fake news about it.
The consultant addressed his discharge from hospital in a short social media post that also explained why he was admitted in the first place.
“I’m Nezar Bahabri and I was infected by coronavirus,” was the short but straightforward start to the post.
The consultant confessed to making the mistake of taking it easy when it came to precautionary measures and wearing a mask, ignoring the warning signs before his health deteriorated.
“I, like hundreds and thousands of heroes before me, were performing our duties treating patients infected and got infected with the same infection that we were treating patients for.”
With an oxygen tank by his side, he sent a message to “the white army” and urged them to wear a mask and not make the same mistakes he did.
His second piece of advice was to never ignore the signs. “Even my patients would tell me that I looked ill, I would ignore (that) and take pain killers,” he said.
“My advice is to calm down and learn.”
Videos of his ICU discharge circulated on social media, with staff showering him with flowers in celebration of his release after three weeks in the unit.
But, in line with his usual style, Bahabri continued to advise his followers and specifically COVID-19 patients to never give up.
He described the three weeks as the hardest of his life, and reminded people that 80 percent of confirmed COVID-19 patients had mild symptoms.
“If you are from the 20 percent and your breathing is constricted, head to the hospital and don’t wait,” he said, adding that if the fever lasted more than five days then patients must head to the hospital.
“Remember, less than 5 percent of patients with breathing complications due to COVID-19 are admitted to the ICU.”
He warned anyone with symptoms to stay vigilant and not to neglect their health. He expressed his gratitude for everyone’s prayers and said he would continue with his rehabilitation at home until he was fully recovered.
His final advice to everyone was to be patient. “Life doesn’t stop,” he said.