More than 50 apply for scholarship in memory of Walsall nurse who died of Covid
More than 50 people have applied for a scholarship launched in memory of Walsall nurse Areema Nasreen who died after catching Covid.
And her proud sister Kazeema Afzal couldn’t be more thrilled that such a fitting tribute has been established.
Kazeema joined Areema’s husband and other family members last month to see a plaque that has been unveiled on the Acute Medical Unit at Walsall Manor Hospital as a memorial to Areema.
She said: “My sister was so special and everyone who met her or worked with her felt the same way.
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“I am so pleased that Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity, HR and the Professional Development Unit have now set up a scholarship in her name because that’s exactly what she was all about; never giving up on her own dream and supporting others to achieve theirs.”
The scholarship will be to financially benefit someone who is trying to reach their healthcare career goal and needs a little extra help to do so.
Areema, a mother-of-three, had wanted to be a nurse since she was a teenager. She joined Walsall Healthcare as a housekeeper and never lost sight of her ambition.
She eventually became a staff nurse on Walsall Manor Hospital’s Acute Medical Unit.
Kazeema added: “Channel 4 has a documentary going out which features BAME families of frontline workers affected by Covid. It asks 'Is Covid Racist?'
“It is clear that not all healthcare workers have had the same experience during Covid but our family knows that Areema had all the PPE she needed in her role and that she was supported during Covid. I know that myself as a healthcare assistant on AMU. I took part in this programme because I wanted everyone to know what a fantastic nurse and sister Areema was and we can only speak our truth about our experience.
To apply for the scholarship email AreemasDream@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk