A terrible loss.

Dr Syed Waqar Ali Shah, a doctor at Dublin's Mater Hospital, has died due to Covid-19. He fell ill with the virus in April, and a statement issued on Wednesday by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association confirmed his passing. Commenting on the death, CEO of the HSE Paul Reid said: "It is with great sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of Dr Waqar Ali Shah in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, following a long illness from Covid-19. "In common with his colleagues, I know he worked diligently and selflessly to care for patients at all times, and particularly during the pandemic." Reid says that Shah is the eighth healthcare worker to die of Covid-19 in Ireland. A longstanding Go Fund Me page for Shah suggests that he was supporting a family of six, including his mother. The IHCA statement can be read in full here: "The hospital community is in mourning today at the untimely passing of our colleague and friend, Dr Syed Waqar Ali Shah. "Dr Shah’s tragic death at a young age reminds us once more of the sacrifices made by frontline healthcare professionals, particularly at this time." "Dr Shah was an exemplary medical professional with an immense dedication to public service. His expertise, care and warmth made an impression with patients and colleagues alike. This was evident every day among those who worked with Dr Shah and witnessed at first hand his deep commitment to healthcare. "At the onset of the Covid-19, Dr Shah put himself selflessly at the frontline in the fight against this awful pandemic, paying the ultimate price. Our thoughts and condolences are with Dr Shah’s wife Rubab, his children and mother at this sad time."