Online Care, Offline Impact: Fatima Ibrahim's Journey of Delivering Care Beyond Physical Boarders

Online Care, Offline Impact: Fatima Ibrahim’s Journey of Delivering Care Beyond Physical Boarders

Fatima Ibrahim, 31, knows what it means to support people through their most vulnerable moments. As a nurse with over six years of experience across various medical fields, such as paediatric care, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, IVF, and internal medicine, helping others is close to her heart. But what motivates her on a more personal level, is her mother.

“My mother has suffered from diabetes for a long time,” Fatima reveals. “As for me, not only did I learn to help patients, but I also learned how to help my mother.”

Fatima and her mom are not alone in this. Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting up to 15% of Egyptians causing major health issues, especially if poorly managed. In the Egyptian healthcare sector, there is a lack of formal structure that would guide diabetic patients through their journey. Besides that, people often lack awareness about the illness and are left undiagnosed or untreated until severe irreversible damages occur. Through CFYE funding, the Al Mouneer powered Dru app is not only tackling these issues in the healthcare sector, but is also empowering young people, such as Fatima, with decent employment opportunities. “I also have a passion for languages” Fatima continues. In addition to her mother tongue, Arabic, she speaks English and German fluently and is striving to learn more.

“In my opinion, language is not just for speaking, but a means of communication between people that allows us to exchange ideas, knowledge, and experiences” Fatima explains.

Despite her extensive knowledge of medicine and languages, Fatima found herself struggling to find a job that would match her interests. Having recently relocated to Egypt in hopes of gaining a wider professional network, Fatima lacked knowledge of the requirements of the labour market and experienced intense competition from other skilled applicants. Still, she kept searching. Then, one day, the opportunity found her. Someone had shared a Facebook advertisement through WhatsApp. The opportunity? Working as a remote nurse for an app called Dru, an innovative health management app by Al Mouneer, specially designed to cater to the needs of individuals that suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes, obesity, or are simply looking to live a healthier life.

Unlocking New Ways to Care

Dru offered something that Fatima had not seen before: a chance to work in the medical field while using digital platforms to provide remote care. The idea that she could make a real difference without even being physically present with the patient was a revelation. “It was an experience full of positive challenges,” Fatima recalls during her first days of training.

“It allowed me to really use my medical knowledge and technology platforms to deliver the service to those who need it.”

“I even learned how to express my ideas clearly and use the right language to influence others,” she elaborates.

Remote Support, Real-Life Action

Today, Fatima works as a Medical Support Customer Service Representative at Dru. Her role involves relying on her nursing experience to guide patients, answer urgent medical inquiries, and help individuals take informed action. Through the training she received at Dru, Fatima has already managed to help many.

Among the people she helped, Fatima recalls the story of an old woman who suffered from various chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease. Fatima was contacted by the woman’s concerned daughter, who did not know what to do. After reviewing the woman’s medical history, Fatima identified the case as an emergency and advised immediate hospitalisation. Thanks to Fatima, the woman received care right on time and her life was saved.

Fatima also shares a story about a 20-year-old man who reached out about his abnormally high blood sugar levels. The man had no prior knowledge of diabetes, so Fatima explained the condition, listed possible symptoms, and guided him on the next steps, including tests and specialist follow-ups.

Another story close to Fatima’s heart is the one of a mother who contacted her in a state of terror. Her infant child had fallen ill and measured a high temperature.

“It was a public holiday, and no paediatric clinic was available,” Fatima recalls.

Through the Dru app, she advised the mother on how to safely reduce the child’s temperature and explained warning signs to look out for. What demonstrates Fatima’s care towards her patients, is that she contacted the mother the next day to make sure her advice had worked: “The child was feeling better, and the temperature had come down, and the mother thanked me for helping her.”

Looking Ahead: Languages, Medicine, and Global Collaboration

Fatima’s career journey has not only boosted her confidence and sharpened her skills but has also reignited her ambition for care. Staying true to her initial passions, she wants to learn at least four more languages and expand her knowledge of healthcare. Fatima also dreams of cooperating with the international community specialising in medicine and health, and to develop her technical abilities through tech-enabled health opportunities.

“I want to be of more value to society and a tool that helps people make their lives better,” Fatima explains.

Throughout this journey, Fatima has learned a valuable lesson – one that she wishes to share with other young people navigating the job market: “Don’t be afraid of failure. It is just a part of learning and development.” She also emphasises the importance of investing in skill-development, strong relationships, as well as physical and mental health. Fatima concluded the interview with inspiring words we should all strive to live by: “Enjoy every opportunity to try new things. Life is too fast, let’s take advantage of it!”