The Doctor Falls/The People Rise
Never forgotten. Dr Habib Zaidi of the Eastwood Group Practice, Leigh on Sea.
Ours is the first hospital in the UK to have a doctor die from COVID-19. It’s not officially a confirmed case, but all the signs were there. The result, as a relative puts it, is academic.
The mass media reported it first. Meanwhile, management are silent on the stark reality of PPE running out, not testing frontline workers in favour of royals and Prime Ministers, lives being strung out to dry in service of what, pay packages? Reputation? I wonder how that will look down the line.
We can only thank the collective army of volunteers, healthcare assistants, nurses, junior and senior doctors marching forward to hold the barricades together. To make sure we’re not exposed, but can help as much as we can. We can only thank the entire cities that burst out into applause - the song of solidarity and hope that swelled across the country and lit fires of pride in our hearts.
I may write like a proud doctor but in amidst the thud of underfunding, fear of the ‘higher-ups’ in suits and patients voting against and threatening the very people who look after them, the dull throb of cynicism has pervaded my working life in more ways than I care to recall.
I was surprised the clap even reached my area, but I’m glad it did. Times like this remind us that good still exists in people, even if most of the time it goes along quietly. It reminds us of our duty, the honour and privilege of serving those in need, the sacrifices of those who have passed.
Thank you for service Dr Zaidi. Your patients will remember you. We will all remember you, as the profession you served for 45 years walks together into the breach.