By Charlotte Webster-
A passionate doctor who died of the killer virus Covid-19 after nearly 40 years to saving has received multiple tributes for his great contribution to save lives in during his distinguished career. c
Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, died on Tuesday afternoon at the Whittington Hospital in north London. The medical director worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Essex and Ealing NHS Trust, as well as many other hospitals
His son Dani Saadu said the family suggested he should go to hospital after he began to show symptoms of the virus but his father insisted he “did not want to take up a hospital bed because others would need it”.
Mr Saadu added: “He was a very passionate man, who cared about saving people.
“As soon as you spoke to him about medicine or what was happening with the NHS his eyes would light up – he was very passionate.
“He was working part-time as a locum as he just could not fully retire. He just loved medicine so much.
“He worked for the NHS for nearly 40 years in different hospitals across London and he loved to lecture people in the world of medicine, he did so in the UK and Africa.” During his career he also worked as medical director of the Ealing Hospital NHS Trust and was appointed interim medical director when the trust merged to become the London North West University NHS Trust in 2014.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital, where Dr Saadu worked as a medical director until he left in December 2017, also paid tribute: “Our condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you all.”
Mr Saadu warned people to take the government’s advice seriously as the numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths continued to rise across the UK.
“I remember a few weeks ago when Boris Johnson said ‘be prepared to lose loved ones’,” he said.
“I got really angry and remember thinking, ‘why is he saying this? It is not the kind of thing you say on TV’.
“I remember a few weeks ago when Boris Johnson said ‘be prepared to lose loved ones’,” he said.
“Now I understand what he means. People need to take this virus seriously. I have seen it first-hand – this virus kills people.
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