Dr Usama Riaz | |
---|---|
Born | 1993/1994 |
Died | 23 March 2020 (aged 26) |
Cause of death | COVID-19 |
Nationality | Pakistani |
Occupation | Physician |
Known for | His work during the COVID-19 pandemic |
Usama Riaz (Urdu: اسامہ ریاض; 1993 – 23 March 2020) was a Pakistani physician from Gilgit-Baltistan.[1]
During his career, Riaz screened pilgrims who had returned to Pakistan from Iran.[2]
He also treated people in intensive care diagnosed with COVID-19, despite lacking personal protective equipment,[3][4] which increased his personal risk.[5][6]
Riaz died on 23 March 2020, from COVID-19 complications at the age of 26.[5] Riaz was the first Pakistani doctor to die from the virus.[7]
On 27 March 2020, he was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Kashmir, the highest award of the state, by Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir for his services.[1] Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan called his death a "national tragedy".[8]