LONDON Another British Pakistani doctor has lost his life to the deadly coronavirus after remaining in the hospital for some time. Dr Syed Zeeshan Haider passed away at the Queen’s Hospital on Monday morning. Dr Haider, who was in his 80s and lived in Dagenham, Essex is the second Pakistani origin doctor to lay down his life against the deadly COVID-19 virus. He worked at Dagenham’s Valence Medical Centre. Previously, Dr Habib Zaidi, an elderly doctor from Southend, was the first doctor in all of UK to succumb to COVID19. After developing symptoms of the disease, Dr Haider was shifted to the hospital where he stayed for about a week but was unable to recover from the damage caused by the virus. Dr Haider’s son, Dr Kumail, spoke to media and confirmed the passing of his father. Dr Haider developed COVID-19 symptoms last week and began self-isolation as per government guidelines, he said. Unfortunately, his condition worsened and he passed away this morning. 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 attentionto other patients ratherthan him.Many at his age would have retired yet his dedication to his profession was immeasurable.” Dr Zeeshan Haider qualifying from Peshawar Khyber Medical College, and moved to England during the 1960’s and worked in various hospitals in London, including the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, as a General Practioner for 50 years. His family paid tribute to all the National Health Service (NHS) staff who treated Dr Zeeshan Haider. He is survived by a wife — who is a retired dentist — three children and three grandchildren.“He leaves a legacy of sacrifice, compassion and generosity in the name of God,” said his son. Dr Haider’s son-in-law, Syed Kaleem Haider, said that the deceased doctor was so passionate about humanity and his profession that even whileinthe hospital breathing hislast, 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 [coronavirus] victims. He was a selfless man. He didn’t want to retire. He kept treating patients until the last moment of his life. He was very driven.” A patient who had been treated by Dr Haider for over 10 years said, “He was my GP (General Practioner) since the last 10 years and was a very polite and caring person. I spoke to him 10 days ago on the phone for a prescription of my medicine. May he rest in peace.—AFP
