IN THE LINE OF DUTY...
Today in another extended obituaries section, the Daily Express pays tribute to dedicated doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who have lost their lives to Covid-19 while bravely going about their daily work helping others
DOCTOR Medhat Atalla devoted his career to helping the elderly; practising medicine across Asia, Africa and Europe.
A consultant physician and geriatrician at Doncaster Royal Infirmary since 2011, he was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a medical examiner.
Colleagues Dr Tim Noble, medical director, and Richard Parker, chief executive at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, called him a “very special human being” and a “truly gentle gentleman”.
The British Geriatrics Society also paid tribute to his quick learning, “personal touch” and “meticulous” manner.
Born in Egypt, his father Soby Atalla was a vice-minister in the country’s government.
He studied medicine in Cairo and was based in Egypt for most of the 1980s before working for the Northern Area Armed Forces in Saudi Arabia. Mr Atalla spent 10 years in hospital trusts across England and Wales before joining Doncaster Royal.
He is survived by his wife and daughter, and siblings in Egypt. FIONA ANDERSON, Community staff nurse DIED APRIL 26, AGED 48
FIONA Anderson cared for thousands of patients in her career.
She was a staff nurse for 12 years at Sunderland Royal
Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital before moving into the community last year, working with the Sunderland West team at Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre.
A South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said the healthcare worker had “devoted her life to helping others”.
Ms Anderson’s manager Kath Henderson said: “She brought pride and passion to her work every day and made an incredible difference in the lives of so many.”
Sarah Anderson described her sister, right, as a “little bag of crazy” who loved the MC Hammer dance and her Chihuahuas. Speaking on TV, she said: “Everything was sparkly in her home, she loved her bling, was scarily intelligent and loved her dogs, who were her life.”
DR VISHNA RASIAH, Consultant neonatologist DEATH POSTED APRIL 24, AGED 48
BIRMINGHAM Women’s and Children’s Hospital consultant Vishna Rasiah was the clinical lead for the Midlands regional neonatal network. The Malaysian-born married father,
known as “Vish”, was hailed as an “amazing doctor, leader, colleague and friend”.
Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said he was “passionate about the care of babies and their families”.
Away from work, Dr Rasiah was a proud dad to daughter Katelyn and husband to Liza whom he “doted on”. Liza said: “Vish loved his work; it was so much more than a job. His colleagues are part of our family. He treated every patient and family he cared for as his own; I can’t be prouder of him.”
Mr Rasiah, left, is also survived by his father and brother.
ANN SHEPHERD, Counsellor DIED WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 20, AGED 80
ANN Shepherd was an inspirational counsellor whose patients continued to praise her years after their treatment ended.
The Leicester mental health service worker was based at the Moir Medical Centre in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, for 26 years.
She continued working well beyond retirement age and provided constant support to colleagues, continuing to check on them by telephone even after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
Ifti Majid, chief executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said Ms Shepherd, left, was “truly devoted and inspirational” and “a phenomenal character, full of colour and sparkle”. He added: “Ann was a true professional who touched many lives. She was respected by patients and colleagues alike.”
JULIUS SANA, Healthcare support worker DIED APRIL 27, AGED 40
JULIUS Sana was as dedicated to his patients as he was to his family. The healthcare worker was based at a private hospital, caring for people with neurodegenerative diseases, in Newport, South Wales, when he fell ill with Covid-19.
Mr Sana spent nearly three weeks on a ventilator before suffering a fatal cardiac arrest at Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. Family friend Belle Alcid, wrote on a fundraising page: “Julius was a blessing to everyone he came across, his love, care and sincerity is irreplaceable. His passion and dedication is enduring.”
Mr Sana spent four years in healthcare before joining St Peter’s Hospital in August, after moving to Wales 15 years ago.
He is survived by wife Maricar and their two children, Marc, 11, and Princess, five.