UAE pays tribute to young Filipina 'Nightingale nurse' who died of Covid-19

Lezly Orine Ocampo, 32, left behind a husband and young child

Lezly is survived by her husband and young child, who are in the Philippines. Courtesy: Burjeel

Related: Pakistani doctor who died of Covid-19 honoured by UAE government

Tributes were paid to a nurse who died at the age of 32 after catching Covid-19 on the front lines of the pandemic.

Lezly Orine Ocampo worked for Burjeel Homecare, which supports women, children and people in rehabilitation in their own homes.

The Filipina caught the virus at work after voluntarily extending her hours to help tackle the outbreak.

She died on May 12, as case numbers soared across the country. In the first two weeks of May, 103 people died – almost a fifth of the 570 to date.

The work of frontline heroes, who played a major role in bringing the outbreak in the Emirates under control, was recognised on Commemoration Day on Monday.

Ocampo was honoured by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at a ceremony at Wahat Al Karama in Abu Dhabi.

He said the UAE would “never forget” her sacrifice.

She leaves behind a husband and young child, who live in the Philippines.

“Lezly was a beacon of positive light, since her joining until the end,” said Dalia Hamed, operations manager at Burjeel Homecare.

“When the pandemic put a great stress on health care, Lezly came up to me in her usual jolly demeanor and presented an idea of extending her shift to longer hours.

“Selfless, committed and passionate, she was a true Nightingale.

“Even after being infected with Covid-19, she was optimistic and had wanted to be back at the forefront upon her recovery.

“But sadly, she left us all at a young age.

"Burjeel Hospital and VPS Healthcare will always remember her for her diligence, sincerity at work, compassion towards the ailing.

“It is not how long you have walked this earth, but what footprints you have left that matters.

“Lezly has left us a legacy for all healthcare workers to emulate and follow."