For Dr. Farooque Dawood, the current sight of physicians and staff in full PPE is reminiscent of the SARS epidemic.

“Etobicoke General was the main treatment area for SARS, and the epidemic brought lots of changes to the hospital,” he says. “Areas of the hospital were sealed off, they had to change the air system and doctors had to wear the same PPE as they’re wearing now.”

Dr. Dawood, who holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, is a leading businessman in the textile, chemical and electronic industries. He is also a past Board Chair of Etobicoke General and one of the first Board Chairs of William Osler Health System. Not only has Dr. Dawood given generously of his time in these various roles, which he held for decades, he’s also generously supported Osler Foundation as a long-time donor and has been instrumental in encouraging others to follow his lead as a member of the Muslim Friends of Osler and engaging speakers at donor events.

His inspiration for joining the Etobicoke General Board decades ago was the people he met there. “Etobicoke General was in a poor state, our ICU was in great need, but the doctors worked so well together,” he says. “I was impressed with the dedication and commitment of the medical professionals there.”

Dr. Dawood’s support of the Health Care Heroes campaign is a nod to these same medical professionals who won his support all those years ago.

“The staff are doing a great job under a lot of pressure,” he says. “COVID-19 is 24/7 pressure for everybody, but for the front line workers, they don’t leave work—the worry is still there.  They have to come back tomorrow and make sure they have equipment to protect themselves and their patients.”

In Ontario 100% of the equipment in our hospitals must be funded by the community. Dr. Dawood wants to remind people of the need for support in all areas of the hospital, during the pandemic and beyond.

“COVID-19 is the focus at the moment but in a hospital there is more to be treated,” he says. “For example, children are born—they don’t wait—and even those areas need protective equipment. The need is always there but the more people who support it in little bits and pieces, it becomes a very large sum of money. 

“You need the hospital to be there.  When you are sick, where are you going to go?  You need a place where you will be looked after and treated properly.”