Doctor Rukesh Patel is one of the frontliners fighting the COVID-19 battle alongside his colleagues.

He will be one of those unfortunate children who will be away from his father this Father’s Day as both his parents are currently in India.

Dr Patel is currently working as an Emergency doctor at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) hospital and is also pursuing his Masters in Emergency Medicine through the Fiji National University.

The 30-year-old said it was hard staying away from his parents and what’s more tough was knowing that he was not with them during the COVID-19 outbreak in India.

“I miss them so much. However, I am sure they are okay. I talk to them daily to check up on them and knowing that they are in good health is reassuring,” Dr Patel said.

He said he would be sending gifts to his father in India for Father’s Day.

“My father has done a lot for me and my siblings. He owes me nothing but I owe him everything,” he said.

“Currently, I stay with my uncle whom I consider my father so I will be celebrating my Father’s Day with him.”

“Hopefully the work we are doing will make our father proud of us and our work extends to protecting all fathers in our country,” he said.

“I urge everyone to keep their fathers safe by getting vaccinated.”

Dr Patel started as intern at CWM hospital followed by Nuffield Health Centre.

He later got transferred to Labasa hospital as an emergency doctor followed by CWM emergency department in 2019.

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