A retired NHS doctor who had continued to work part-time at a hospital has died after reportedly contracting coronavirus.

Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, worked for the health service for several decades, and is said to have contracted Covid-19 before his death earlier this week.

According to his family, Dr Saadu was working part-time at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, before he died.

As soon as you spoke to him about medicine his face would light up

His son, Dani Saadu, told the Huffington Post: “He was a very passionate man, who cared about saving people.

“As soon as you spoke to him about medicine his face would light up.

“He worked for the NHS for nearly 40 years in different hospitals across London.”

It is reported that Dr Saadu had not been working on the frontline fighting the coronavirus pandemic when he contracted the virus.

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt called the doctor’s death “tragic”, adding: “When this is over, we must never forget people like Alfa Saadu.”

Jeremy Hunt
Jeremy Hunt called Dr Saadu’s death tragic (Jacob King/PA)

The trust Dr Saadu worked for before his retirement also paid tribute to him.

Lance McCarthy, chief executive of the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of Dr Alfa Saadu.

“Alfa was well-known at the trust for his passion for ensuring our patients received high quality care.

“He was a committed member of the team and is remembered fondly by many.”