Coronavirus: Doctor dies of COVID-19 after warning people to take pandemic seriously
Dr Paul Kabasele pleaded with people not to put "lives in danger", before himself falling ill with the disease.
Monday 4 May 2020 18:29, UK
A "much-loved" London-based eye doctor who warned about the dangers of underestimating coronavirus has died after contracting the disease.
Dr Paul Kabasele had been receiving treatment for COVID-19 for a month in hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said.
The trust said the 58-year-old was a "truly gifted and hard-working doctor" who had worked at its Croydon Hospital site for a decade.
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It said the ophthalmologist "provided an exceptional level of care to his patients, thanks to his warm, reassuring and generous nature".
Outside his core role, Dr Kabasele had "worked tirelessly" to improve the eye health of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he came from originally.
He also served as a church pastor for more than 30 years, and regularly gave sermons for the Rock of Ages Christian Assembly in southeast London.
It comes after the Royal College of Surgeons said NHS workers from black and ethnic minority (BAME) groups who are dealing with the coronavirus crisis should be removed from high-risk areas.
Sky News analysis indicated 60% of health staff who have died with COVID-19 are from those groups.
Video posted online before he became ill showed him urging the church's followers to take the virus seriously and not put "lives in danger".
Rock of Ages said: "We have lost a great role model and a father but we are rejoicing for he has played his part and now in peace with our lord Jesus Christ."
One worshipper added: "Dr Paul was a pastor full of humility. I miss the mellow tone of his voice. He was a role model. May God help us follow his path."
David Probert, chief executive at Moorfields Eye Hospital, said: "Paul was a much-loved member of the Moorfields family. Through the past decade, he provided an exceptional level of care to his patients.
"He was incredibly hardworking, kind, gentle and a joy to work with. He will be sorely missed by many and his death is a huge loss to us all. Our thoughts are with Paul's family and friends at this incredibly difficult and heart-breaking time."