When Ana Ibis Estrada Rosales left her homeland in March 2020, she carried fears in her luggage, but her certainties were greater. She knew it was the right decision because nothing drives her more than to do good without sparing efforts or establishing differences between one and the other. That is why she left for Belize to fight for life, leaving aside the fear that Covid-19 provoked in her.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- She says that she was in a language preparation course in Havana when they asked for the willingness of nurses to attend to patients with the new coronavirus as part of the Henry Reeve medical brigade. Beyond the worries and constant tension, her altruistic vocation prevailed, the same one that motivated her, 17 years ago, to embark on the path of nursing.
There were many challenges; first, she overcame the language barriers since she only had a basic knowledge of English. However, the hardest thing was to face Covid-19, to feel a reality that until then was not close to her; she left Cuba when the first cases were just beginning to be diagnosed and she had to acquire the experience in a foreign land.
She is an obstetrician nurse and at the Karl Heusner Hospital -the main public health care center in Belmopan, the capital of Belize- she was also assigned to work in the Maternity Service. On an ordinary day, after assisting a pregnant woman, a newborn, or a pregnant woman, she had to change into her uniform and "cover-up" with the suits to deal with the virus; both positive and suspected patients of the disease passed through her hands. There she learned to take care of herself and to take care of them, and she did it with the satisfaction of knowing she was useful; that was, without a doubt, her greatest reward for 10 months.
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Her story of dedication began much earlier in the village of Bartle, the place where she was born, grew up, and realized her dreams. "I decided to study nursing out of conviction because I like to help others and I feel the pain of others as my own," she says, visibly moved.
After graduating from the University of Medical Sciences in the city of Las Tunas, Ana Ibis returned to her hometown to work at the Alberto Arcos Luque polyclinic. She confesses that she has never thought of leaving her homeland, where she is bound by emotional ties and deep gratitude. "In Bartle, I became what I am, and I have been formed; there are my roots, my family, where better to provide my services than with my people. That is the greatest pride I have."
In 2015, she completed an international mission in Guatemala, another enriching experience that left her with lessons to learn. For two years she demonstrated the knowledge acquired and also her human quality, and brought with her the gratitude of many people.
She was recently awarded the Labor Prowess Medal in recognition of her performance in the fight against the pandemic. "It is the greatest honor I have received in my life, besides the mission in Belize where I represented our Public Health System. I feel proud and it commits me to continue."
Ana Ibis does not lose that instinct to support others, both in her community and in other nations, as a kind of daily heroism. She is the mother of two boys, one 25 years old and the other 18, who are her inspiration and a powerful force that renews her energy every dawn.
She will soon return to Belize in response to the call of the authorities of that country to several of the professionals who were there. The hardest part will be being away from her family, but she will fulfill her duty as she has been doing, invariably, since she decided to become a nurse.
