Second British Pakistani doctor loses life to coronavirus

LONDON: Another British Pakistani doctor has lost life to the deadly coronavirus after remaining in hospital for about two weeks.

Dr Syed Zeeshan Haider passed away after fighting the infection at the Queen’s Hospital. Dr Haider, who was in his 80s and lived in Dagenham, Essex is the second Pakistani-origin doctor to lay down his life against Covid-19.

Previously, Dr Habib Zaidi, an elderly doctor from Southend, was the first doctor in all of the UK to succumb to the viral disease. After developing symptoms of the virus, Dr Haider was shifted to the hospital where he stayed for one week but he was unable to recover from the damage caused by the coronavirus.

Dr Haider’s son, Dr Kumail, confirmed to The News the passing of his father. Dr Haider developed Covid-19 symptoms last week and began self-isolation as per government guidelines. Unfortunately, his condition worsened, and he was taken to Queen’s Hospital Romford where he passed away. Dr Kumail said: “Many described him as a selfless man driven by his passion for his profession, even whilst in hospital breathing his last, he was urging doctors and nurses to pay attention to other patients rather than him. Many at his age would have retired yet his dedication to his profession was immeasurable.”

The News has learnt that after qualifying from Khyber medical college Dr Haider moved to England during the 1960’s and worked in hospitals including the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital and as a General Practitioner in London for fifty years.

His family paid tribute to all the National Health Service (NHS) staff who treated Dr Haider. He is survived by wife, three children and three grandchildren. His son said: “He leaves a legacy of sacrifice, compassion and generosity in the name of God.”

Dr Haider’s son-in-law Syed Kaleem Haider said Dr Haider was so passionate about humanity and his profession that even while in the hospital breathing his last he was asking doctors and nurses to pay more attention to other patients and not to him.

“He was more concerned about others and from his bed, he advised doctors and nurses on what to do to treat Corona victims. He was a selfless man. He didn’t want to retire. He kept treating patients until the last moment of his life. Many at his age have taken retirement but Dr Haider would always say that he would never take retirement and would always treat patients to help them.”

Dr Haider’s wife is a retired dentist.

A patient, who had been treated by Dr Haider for over 10 years, said: “He was my GP (General Practitioner) for the last 10 years and he was a very polite and caring person. I spoke to him 10 days ago on the phone for prescription of my medicine. May he rest in peace.”

Previously, Dr Amged El-Hawrani and Dr Adil El Tayar, two British-Sudanese doctors laid down their lives fighting the virus. The staff of the National Health Service has been exposed to a greater risk of catching the coronavirus after concerns were raised that not every doctor had access to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

After Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested positive for the viral disease, it was announced that frontline NHS staff would be tested and the UK would undertake over 100,000 tests daily but this commitment has not been fulfilled as of the filing of this report. Dr Haider worked at Valence Medical Centre in Dagenham.