Saudi Arabia’s Sad Milestone: First COVID-19 Doctor Death

The Pakistani doctor contracted the virus while treating patients.

  • By webmaster | June 5, 2020,1:12 pm
Saudi Arabia's Sad Milestone: First COVID-19 Doctor Death

Pakistani doctor Naeem Chaudhry, who worked at a hospital in the holy city of Mecca, is the first medic to die of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

Dr Chaudhry died two days ago after contracting COVID-19 through his work at the Hira General Hospital in Mecca, Arab News reports. 

The doctor worked in the hospital’s General Surgery Department, where he was considered one of the facilities most skilled surgeons.  Director General of Mecca Health Affairs Dr Wael Hamzah Mutair said the Hira General Hospital team is greatly saddened by Chaudhry’s passing.  

Mutair emphasized that the doctor contracted the virus during the course of his work, not outside the hospital and, apart from having high blood pressure, suffered no other underlying health conditions.  

The Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz, expressed his sympathy to Dr Chaudhry’s wife and three daughters who live in Mecca, saying he too was “deeply saddened,” by the doctor’s death. 

“He laid down his life for the humanitarian cause in these difficult circumstances. His services will always be remembered,” Ejaz said in a condolence message.

“May Allah Almighty rest the soul in eternal peace, and give you and the bereaved family the courage to bear this irreparable loss (Ameen).”

Chaudhry is one of the many Pakistani doctors and health professional’s working to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic in Saudi Arabia. On June 4, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health said the country has 23,581 active cases of COVID-19 and recorded 611 deaths from the disease.

Read also: Egyptian Coronavirus Denier Dies From Disease, Infects Family

Related Articles

Is this self-cleaning mask the future of PPE?
Is this Self-Cleaning Mask the Future of PPE?

Technion University’s lead researcher Professor Yair Ein-Eli says he hopes the new self-cleaning mask will save lives and the environment.  

Emirates Lays Off More Cabin Crew, Pilots
Emirates Lays Off More Cabin Crew, Pilots

On June 9, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) state-owned carrier made the “difficult decision” to begin retrenching workers, despite financial support assurances from the government. Emirates is yet to comment on the exact number of employees made redundant over the last two days, but an estimated 700 cabin crew and 600 pilots have been let […]

Egypt's Peace Plan for Libya Gains Ground in Arab World
Egypt’s Peace Plan for Libya Gains Ground in Arab World

The first step of the plan calls for the implementation of a ceasefire on June 8 and the expulsion of all foreign militia from Libya. It would also see militias disbanded and military authority handed back to the Haftar-led LNA.  

Art in War Torn Libya

Libyan digital artist Razan Al Naas (@razangryffindor) weaves the country’s culture and history into digital collages that provoke thought and awe. A large part of that history in recent times has been the instability and conflict that has ravaged the country since the overthrow of longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.  The increase in fighting […]