Pakistani doctor succumbs to Covid-19 in Abu Dhabi
Usman used to treat patients for free on holidays back home
Mohammad Usman, a Pakistan doctor in Abu Dhabi, has died after contracting Covid-19. Dr Usman, who worked in the UAE for 10 years, got infected on the job and was admitted to a hospital in Abu Dhabi. He died last Friday and was buried in Abu Dhabi on Monday. His body could not be flown back home due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Dr Usman worked in a private clinic in Abu Dhabi as a general practitioner. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE, Ghulam Dastgir, paid tributes to Dr Usman. “He was a frontline soldier who dedicatedly performed his duty. He sacrificed his life while serving others. We are in touch with his family to provide help,” he said.
He added that he would help the family get all the doctor’s dues from his employer with the help of UAE authorities.
A dignified person
Dr Usman’s friends and colleagues remember him as a dignified person who was always ready to help people. “He performed his duty honestly even during this difficult time,” said Dr V.S.N, Kiran Kumar, his close friend and ex-colleague, who is from India.
“He was treating dozens of patients every day in a private clinic he had recently joined in Abu Dhabi,” Dr Kumar said.
He added that Dr Usman was going through a difficult time due to non-payment of dues by his previous employer.
Dr Jamsheed Khan, a relative, told Gulf News that Dr Usman belonged to Rawalakot. “He was very popular in his village back home. He would treat hundreds of people [in] his area free whenever he went on holiday back home,” he added.
“He was like my brother. I must appeal to the Pakistan government to help his family because his wife does not work and he has two small boys.”
Dr Khan said that when he went to Dr Usman’s house after his burial, one of his sons asked him: “Uncle, why is my father not coming home?”
He could not bear to answer.