Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan (photo), the doctor who was leading the fight against the Ebola virus disease has himself passed away today after being infected a couple of days ago. Khan’s death is a big shock to Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans around the world because he was reportedly in a stable condition for some time now.
President Koroma was to visit him on Monday at a Kailahun hospital where he was admitted but the helicopter in which he was travelling ran out of fuel in Kenema and he had to return to Freetown. He planned to go back to the area today, only to be told one of Sierra Leone’s most patriotic medical professionals has passed away.
The late Khan, a dedicated virologist, returned home after his training in the West to serve his country a couple of years ago. He was then appointed head of the Lassa Fever unit in the Eastern region’s capital of Kenema. He later became a symbol of the fight against Ebola in the country after the outbreak of the deadly disease. He was personally introduced to President Koroma by Health Minister Miatta Kargbo when the President visited Kenema before the Ebola outbreak earlier this year.
Khan’s death has caused gigantic anguish among Sierra Leoneans in various social media manifestations and outlets like Facebook, twitter and several online discussion groups. Many Sierra Leoneans see him as a saint in his dedication to save the lives of his people despite the terrible danger involved.
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