It is with great sadness that the VHFC mourns the loss of our colleague and friend Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan, Physician In-Charge of the Lassa Fever Program at Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. Dr. Khan was a leading expert in the clinical care of viral hemorrhagic fevers, devoted to the care of his fellow nationals. Dr. Khan, who led efforts to treat Ebola patients at Kenema Government Hospital and contain the outbreak in Sierra Leone, contracted the virus while administering care to infected patients.
VHFC also grieves the loss of the many healthcare workers who have died as a result of the current outbreak of Ebola virus disease. These include nurses Alex Moigboi, Iye Gborie, Mbalu Fonnie, and driver Sahr Niokor.
“Dr. Khan was a brave and good man, and an extraordinary physician. We are devastated by his loss, and the loss of all of the many individuals in the line of this virus,” Pardis Sabeti, Associate Professor at Harvard University, said in a statement.
VHFC researcher Dr. Kristian Andersen added “he was a leader of emerging African scientists at the frontline of the prevention and treatment of some the most deadly human viruses. His amazing talent and dedication to helping patients in need will be sorely missed”.
Read the profile of Dr. Khan on BBC:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28560507