Alfa Saadu, Retired NHS Doctor, Dies from COVID-19 after Treating Patients in the UK

The UK just lost an essential member of society to the coronavirus. Alfa Saadu is a retired doctor who recently passed away after contracting COVID-19.

Saadu, 68, died on Tuesday after battling the coronavirus for two weeks. The sad news was confirmed by his son, Dani, who posted about his father on social media.

Saadu was called a “passionate” doctor who had come out of retirement to help the UK fight the coronavirus. His son told “HuffPost UK: “He was a very passionate man, who cared about saving people.”

Saadu refused to go to a hospital

The doctor passed away at the Whittington Hospital in London after coming down with symptoms of the virus. Saadu immediately self-isolated when he noticed the signs of the virus.

His family suggested he go to a hospital, but Saadu insisted he "did not want to take up a hospital bed because others would need it." Dani explained how his father’s face would “light up” when a discussion was around medicine.

His four decades of work

Saadu worked for the NHS “for nearly 40 years in different hospitals across London,” according to his son. He was also the chairman of the Kwara State Association, an organization that was dedicated to helping those from his home state of Kwara, Nigeria.

The doctor had been working part-time at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn, Hertfordshire after his retirement. He migrated to the UK from Nigeria.

Going into retirement

In 2016, Saadu retired as medical director at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. He also worked as a consultant and acting clinical director of the care of the elderly department at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Saadu’s other work

The doctor had also been the medical director and consultant physician at Ealing Hospital. He’s reported as the fourth NHS medic to die from the coronavirus.

Former Nigerian President honors Saadu

Former Nigerian Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki paid tribute to Saadu. Taking to Twitter, the former president shared his condolences with the doctor’s family.

Who he leaves behind

Dani revealed that his father was survived by two sons and a wife. Saadu’s widow was also a retired doctor who worked in occupational health.