‘We honour his sacrifice’: Dr Usama’s fight against COVID-19

GILGIT BALTISTAN: “We’ll once more see what the problem is, and in the event that they quarantined pilgrims want additional remedy, they are going to be shifted to DHQ or metropolis hospital, but when they are often handled right here, we’ll present remedy to them right here.”

These have been the final phrases of younger physician Usama Riaz, heard in a video recorded at a quarantine centre at Sakwar, Gilgit – the place he finally ended up contracting the novel coronavirus whereas checking pilgrims getting back from Iran and Iraq.

“Usama was repeatedly on obligation and sadly was with out correct protecting gear essential to deal with coronavirus affected person,” stated a physician referring to his video wherein Riaz is seen sporting an abnormal masks. The video went viral on social media attracting sympathies for the younger physician.

In accordance with kinfolk, Riaz returned house on Friday night time from obligation and went to mattress. “However he couldn’t get up subsequent morning,” stated the relative, including he was rushed to mixed navy hospital (CMH) after which the district headquarter (DHQ) hospital the place a CT scan machine was discovered to be out of order. The kinfolk appealed for airlifting him to Islamabad for remedy however that didn’t materialize both.

The 26-years-old Riaz, who was a resident of Chilas city, was then placed on a ventilator at DHQ Gilgit, the place he remained for the following three days earlier than passing away on Sunday.

“It’s a nationwide tragedy and we’ll award him the standing of nationwide hero,” Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman advised The News Observers.

“He was our frontline defence and we honour his sacrifice.”

Riaz’s dying brings the tally of fatalities to 5 in Pakistan. The nation has up to now above 800 identified circumstances of the virus. Sindh has reported the very best variety of circumstances.

Mehtabur Rehman, an area journalist, who visited the quarantine centre stated, “I visited the centre the place Usama was deputed and located the scenario deplorable”.

“So far as protecting gear, there was no such factor on the bottom,” stated the journalist who was later placed on quarantine on ‘suspicion’ of visiting the centre with out following the usual working procedures. Rehman termed the quarantine as a vendetta for exposing the federal government’s false claims.

he Pakistan Medical Affiliation of Gilgit-Baltistan (PMA G-B) reacted to Riaz’s dying and accused the federal government of exhibiting negligence in direction of real problems with the docs.

“Dr Riaz had contracted COVID-19 because of the negligence of presidency and its well being division,” stated President PMA G-B Dr Zulfiqar Ali whereas addressing a press convention in Gilgit.