Cardiff(UK), April 7,2020: An experienced and admired heart surgeon has died in an intensive care unit in Wales in UK after testing positive for Covid-19.
Jitendra Rathod, a 62-year-old father of two, died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on April 6.
Rathod was an associate specialist in cardiothoracic surgery at the hospital.
A statement posted on the Cardiff and Vale University health board website paid tribute to Rathod, saying that he had worked in the cardiothoracic surgery department since the mid-1990s.
After a brief stint abroad, Rathod – known as Jitu to colleagues and friends – returned to the University Hospital of Wales.
“He was an incredibly dedicated surgeon who cared deeply for his patients,” the health board said. “He was well liked and greatly respected by one and all. He was a very compassionate and a wonderful human being.
“His commitment to the speciality was exemplary. He is survived by his wife and two sons. We will miss him greatly.”
No details have been released on how Rathod contracted the virus.
Although the exact number of covid deaths in UK among people of Indian origin is not known, two other Indian origin victims of coronavirus in UK were confirmed yesterday. Sinto George, 38-year-old father of three small children, who was working as a care worker in London passed away on April 6. He was a native of Kannur in Kerala. Iqbal who hails from Chalakudy in Kerala also was confirmed as a covid victim on April 6. He was working as a chef in London. A retired school teacher – Indira from Kollam in Kerala and pharmacist Pooja Sharma were also confirmed as Indian origin covid victims in the past week alone.
source: Guardian