Topmost Sierra Leonean Ebola doctor dies

Sheik Umar Khan, the doctor spearheading the treatment of Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, has died.

After helping to keep more than 100 patients of the disease alive, Umar himself contracted it, and fell ill early last week.

President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, then announced the transfer of Umar to a treatment ward run by medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres. A day before his death, Koroma visited him at the hospital.

Despite his reputation for strict adherence to anti-Ebola protection measures, Khan always knew the risks associated with his job, and he once admitted fearing for his life.

“I have installed a mirror in my office, which I call my ‘policeman’, to check for holes in my protective clothing before entering an isolation ward,” he told Reuters at the end of June.

“Nevertheless, I am afraid for my life, I must say, because I cherish my life. Health workers are prone to the disease because we are the first port of call for somebody who is sickened by disease. Even with the full protective clothing you put on, you are at risk.”

His eventual death on Tuesday prompted tributes from locals as well as the international health community.

While Sierra Leonean health minister, Miatta Kargbo, described him as “a national hero”, the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Consortium described him as “one of the world’s leading experts in the clinical care of viral hemorrhagic fevers”.

In a statement, Doctors Without Borders described him as an extremely determined and courageous doctor who cared deeply for his patients.

“His work and dedication have been greatly appreciated by the medical community in Sierra Leone for many years,” it said.

“He will be remembered and missed by many, especially by the doctors and nurses that worked with him. MSF’s sincere thoughts and condolences are with Dr. Khan’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Khan joins a growing list of medical casualties consumed by the viral disease, such as Liberian doctor and former medical adviser to then President Charles Taylor; Samuel Brisbane; and Ugandan doctor, Samuel Muhumuza, who was working in Liberia.

Two United States aids workers, Dr. Kent Brantly and nurse Nancy Writebol have also been infected and their conditions have been described as “grave” and “serious”, respectively.