A Bangladeshi-British doctor who warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the shortages of healthcare professionals’ personal protective equipment (PPE) has died of coronavirus.
Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, 53, an urologist at London’s Homerton Hospital, succumbed to the disease Wednesday after spending 15 days at Queen’s Hospital in Romford.
Dr Chowdhury studied at Chattogram Medical College before joining British national health services 20 years ago. Bangladesh High Commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem expressed her “deepest condolences and shock” at his untimely death. “My thoughts and prayers are with the deceased family. The passing away of this brilliant doctor is an irreparable loss not only for his family, Bangladesh British community, but also Britain’s national health services,” she said.
“He made us proud with his bold actions to save lives even before his last days.”
On March 18, he wrote an urgent message to Johnson on Facebook in an appeal for PPE for “each and every” health worker in the UK.
“Remember we may be doctor/nurse/HCA/allied health workers who are in direct contact with patients but we are also human beings trying to live in this world disease free with our family and friends,” Chowdhury wrote.
“People appreciate us and salute us for our rewarding jobs which is very inspirational, but I would like to say we have to protect ourselves and our families in this global disaster”.
Johnson, 55, is also tested positive and taking treatment from hospital.
The Muslim Doctors Association paid tribute to the Bangladesh-born doctor, who had no underlying medical conditions.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, Consultant Urologist at Homerton Hospital, after fighting for his life from COVID-19,” the group said.
He leaves behind his wife and two children.
