HARIPUR: A doctor died of Covid-19, becoming the third medical practitioner to have fallen victim to the deadly coronavirus in Haripur district, official sources said here on Friday.

Dr Sher Bahadur, in-charge of coronavirus department at the district health office, and family sources said Dr Sagheer Ahmed, 46, was serving as deputy medical superintendant in the District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Haripur. He was attending management cadre training in Peshawar three weeks ago when he complained of fever and chest problem.

He was shifted to the Shif International Hospital Islamabad where he remained hospitalised till his death on Thursday night. He left behind a widow and three children.

Family sources said Dr Sagheer was also a kidney patient and had undergone dialysis during his stay in Shifa Hospital.

However, Dr Sher Bahadur said as per the health department’s information cause of the death of Dr Sagheer was Covid-19.

Dr Alia Sarfraz, a gynaecologist, and Dr Javed Iqbal, in-charge TB department of DHQ Haripur, have also died of coronavirus.

According to official statistics, Haripur has so far reported 2,450 positive cases and 52 deaths since the onset of the pandemic. The district has currently 44 positive cases.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2021