Young doctor Usama Riaz has passed away after battling against Coronavirus disease at District Headquarter Hospital, Gilgit. He was admitted to an intensive care unit at DHQ Hospital Gilgit. He had contracted COVID-19 while working with coronavirus patients at a quarantine center in Joglot, Gilgit, set up for Zaireen coming from Iran.

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan through the information department made the announcement. Earlier, young doctors including Dr. Ejaz Ayub, the President of Young Doctor Association Gilgit-Baltistan, had blamed the provincial government for not providing the safety kits to doctors and paramedics.

Dr. Usama Riaz had recently completed his medical degree from Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur. He was one of the team members of 10 paramedics and doctors deputed on duty at Coronavirus quarantine center in Jaglot near Gilgit city.

Dr. Usama Riaz had posted a photo of his convocation just a year ago. Shortly after his graduation, he came back to Gilgit-Baltistan and started his job with the People’s Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI).

Dr. Usama Riaz belonged to Chilas, Diamer, but was settled in Gilgit. He is expected to be laid to rest tomorrow under strict protocol.

The Chief Minister and Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan have paid their tribute to Dr. Usama Riaz for his services. Numerous national and international leaders also sent their wishes and tributes on Facebook and Twitter.

Started in Wuhan, China, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has now affected over half a million people across 160 countries with the death toll now reaching to twenty thousand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus disease a pandemic.

In Pakistan, the number of active coronavirus cases are now over one thousand, which consists of many Zaireen who have recently returned from Iran through the Taftan border.

A young doctor from the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan has been shifted to an intensive care unit (ICU) after he contracted coronavirus while working with affected patients. The doctor named Usama Riaz was on-duty in Jaglot town some 45 km from Gilgit where he contracted the coronavirus disease.

Dr. Usama Riaz has been admitted to District Headquarter Hospital DHQ, Gilgit. Initial reports suggest that he has brain damage with little chances of recovery.

The government has set up a quarantine center for the Zaireen who have recently come from Iran through the Taftan border.

According to Dr. Ejaz Ayub, the president of the Gilgit-Baltistan Young Doctors Association, the government has failed to provide safety kits to the doctors and paramedics working with the Zaireen kept in isolation many of whom are suspected of carrying the Coronavirus disease.

Talking to a press conference in Gilgit, Dr. Ejaz Ayub said that doctors and paramedics are working closely with the Coronavirus patients despite the unavailability of safety kits.

The active Coronavirus disease cases in Pakistan are rising and expected to grow over the next few months. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19).