‘This virus doesn’t care if you are gifted, rich or poor’, says brother of surgeon killed by Covid

The heartbroken brother of an ‘amazing’ surgeon who died from Covid shortly before he was due his booster jab today warned that virus cases are ‘going up every day’ and ‘eventually it will affect someone you love in a very bad way’.

Dr Irfan Halim, 45, passed away at Royal Brompton Hospital in West London on November 14 following a nine-week battle with the virus and two months after his father Kamal, 75, also a doctor, died in another London hospital from Covid on September 24.

His bereft younger sibling Dr Amir Halim, who is also a medic, today paid tribute to his brother who swapped from surgery to treating covid patients for a year until he fell ill. Colleagues described him as being like ‘ten men in one body’, who had treated 250,000 patients throughout his career.

‘We have struggled, saying it’s been the worst two months of my life is an understatement. Cases are going up every day. This virus doesn’t care if you are gifted, rich or poor. It will continue to affect lives unless we take necessary actions which include getting vax and boosters and limiting unnecessary contacts. Eventually it will affect someone you love in a very bad way’, Amir said.

He added: ‘He will always be big brother to me, he was a loyal and loving son. A father, son and uncle. The sheer volume of things he achieved, looking after his wife and four kids, multiple degrees. He touched a lot of lives, knew he was gifted and had the abilities to help a lot of people in many ways and never asked for anything in return. I will make sure his two sons and two daughters grow up knowing what an amazing person their father was’.

Irfan is believed to have contracted the virus here before collapsing during a shift on September 10. After initially being treated at the Swindon hospital, he was transferred to the Royal Brompton in London on September 26, where he died a week ago.

His brother Amir said the family, including his wife and four children, are struggling to cope with his passing.  

He said: ‘This virus is just a horrible thing. Dad caught Covid about a week before Irfan did. Irfan was still well when dad was admitted but collapsed at work around a week later. Dad never knew Irfan had become ill – but even in hospital when Irfan was on the ICU, his primary focus was on dad’. 

Irfan, who had no known health conditions, received his second vaccine in February but was struck down by the disease on September 10, six days before Britain’s booster programme was given the green-light.

The devoted husband and father (pictured) spent his last moments in the arms of his wife, who said she was 'whispering prayers and love into his ears'

Dr Irfan Halim (pictured), 45, who had been working in Swindon, Wiltshire, passed away at a London hospital last weekend after a nine-week battle with the virus

His bereft younger sibling Dr Amir Halim, who is also a medic, today paid tribute to his brother who swapped from surgery to treating covid patients for a year until he fell ill with the virus

His bereft younger sibling Dr Amir Halim, who is also a medic, today paid tribute to his brother who swapped from surgery to treating covid patients for a year until he fell ill with the virus

He went to work on September 10 but never returned after catching coronavirus and becoming increasingly ill. He is pictured with his children

He went to work on September 10 but never returned after catching coronavirus and becoming increasingly ill. He is pictured with his children

Dr Halim (pictured with his wife Saila), who was a father of four children under the age of 12, was a skilled surgeon at Swindon Hospital

Dr Halim (pictured with his wife Saila), who was a father of four children under the age of 12, was a skilled surgeon at Swindon Hospital

As a frontline NHS worker who was vaccinated nine months ago, he would have been at the front of the queue for the crucial third shot when they were rolled out on September 16.

‘He was always very happy, very energetic, until the day he passed a week ago he was exactly the same Irfan, all his childhood friends, family and loved ones remembered’, Amir told the BBC.

‘We hoped he would recover, given his age. He was fit and well young man in his mid-40s. That’s partly why we are so shocked and devastated more so than Irfan’s loss than even dad’s. 

‘Irfan spent a week on intensive care and deteriorated to the point where they had to put him he was put on a ventilator. That decision was made consciously and mutually with him.

‘The day later he was transferred from Great Western to the Royal Brompton for ECMO treatment. He was ventilated a couple of days before dad passed away.

‘Until the day we were informed of the impending news, we had always hoped he would pull through. He just suddenly deteriorated a week ago and as a doctor myself I knew nothing else could be done at that stage’.

The surgeon was thought of as a medical powerhouse and described by colleagues as like ’10 men in one body’ after treating 250,000 patients throughout his career. 

He was isolated from his family for four months at the height of the pandemic last spring while treating Covid patients on the front lines.  

Dr Halim’s death came just two months after he had taken up work on the Covid ICU wards at Great Western Hospital, Swindon, where he collapsed on shift and is believed to have contracted the virus.

Even though the vaccines offer very high protection against serious illness and death, they start to wane at around six months and are not 100 per cent effective. Dr Halim’s age, vaccine status and general health should have put him at a lower risk of dying from Covid, even though it had been nine months since his second dose.  

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, his wife Saila Halim said last week: ‘My husband worked away from London and I’m not sure which vaccine he received but he was double vaccinated and always wore full PPE when he was on the wards.’

Fighting back the tears, she continued: ‘He never said anything about getting the booster and I don’t think he got one.

‘It makes you question the efficiency of the vaccine but now is not the time for me to think about these things because I’m so heartbroken.

‘It’s a double tragedy for the family and we are in too much pain to consider anything else.’

Dr Halim’s death came just two months after he had taken up work on the Covid ICU wards at Great Western Hospital, Swindon, where he collapsed on shift and is believed to have contracted the virus.

Even though the vaccines offer very high protection against serious illness and death, they start to wane at around six months and are not 100 per cent effective. Dr Halim’s age, vaccine status and general health should have put him at a lower risk of dying from Covid, even though it had been nine months since his second dose.  

Dr Irfan Halim, 45, who earned widespread praise for his work, passed away at Royal Brompton Hospital in London on November 14, surrounded by his heartbroken family (pictured, their last photo together) following a nine-week battle against the virus

Dr Irfan Halim, 45, who earned widespread praise for his work, passed away at Royal Brompton Hospital in London on November 14, surrounded by his heartbroken family (pictured, their last photo together) following a nine-week battle against the virus

How the risk of dying from being fully-vaccinated against Covid in your 40s is small… even without a booster

The risk of Covid killing someone in their forties who is double-vaccinated remains small – even without a booster vaccine.

Even though the vaccines have been shown to wane at between four and six months, they still offer very high protection against serious illness and death. 

Real-world UK data shows that people who were given two Pfizer vaccine doses still have about 85 per cent protection against death from the dominant Delta variant six months later – compared to the near-perfect protection earlier in the year.

Those who received two shots of AstraZeneca have very slightly less protection at the half-year mark, with the effectiveness falling to about 80 per cent.

Real-world UK data shows that people who were given two Pfizer vaccine doses still have about 85 per cent protection against death from the dominant Delta variant six months later - compared to the near-perfect protection earlier in the year. Those who received two shots of AstraZeneca have very slightly less protection at the half-year mark, with the effectiveness falling to about 80 per cent

Real-world UK data shows that people who were given two Pfizer vaccine doses still have about 85 per cent protection against death from the dominant Delta variant six months later – compared to the near-perfect protection earlier in the year. Those who received two shots of AstraZeneca have very slightly less protection at the half-year mark, with the effectiveness falling to about 80 per cent

At six months, Government data shows the Pfizer vaccine offers about 90 per cent protection against hospitalisation. For AstraZeneca's, the figure is just under 80 per cent

At six months, Government data shows the Pfizer vaccine offers about 90 per cent protection against hospitalisation. For AstraZeneca’s, the figure is just under 80 per cent

At six months, Government data shows the Pfizer vaccine offers about 90 per cent protection against hospitalisation. For AstraZeneca’s, the figure is just under 80 per cent. 

The vaccines are much weaker at preventing someone from getting infected after six months, however, with the AZ vaccine offering 40 per cent protection versus Pfizer’s 60 per cent. 

But early data from the UK’s booster rollout has shown that the third dose can top-up immunity against infection to 93 per cent again.

Although it’s too soon to put an effectiveness estimate against hospitalisation and death, officials say they expect it to be ‘much higher’. 

Separate figures suggest that someone in their forties now has between a one in 4,000 and one in 500 chance of dying from Covid.

The Cambridge University analysis includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, with other studies suggesting the risk is much lower for a double-jabbed person.

Someone in their 70s, for comparison, has a one in 30 chance of dying from Covid, and for those aged 65 to 75, the rate is one in 120.   

His death came two months after he had taken up work on the Covid intensive care unit wards at Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

Dr Halim was one of the first priority groups to get vaccinated against Covid in December 2020. He received his second dose the following month, in line with the three-week dosing guidance at the time.

The time between first and second vaccine doses has since been extended to between eight and 12 weeks in the UK after studies showed the longer interval increases the strength and duration of immunity. 

Mrs Halim, 44, recalled her husband’s last day, when he was surrounded at his bedside by her and their four children; Zara, 13, Adam, 12, Zain, 11 and Alisa, five. Dr Halim’s brother, sister and mother were also with him.

His heartbroken widow went on through tears: ‘I held him in my arms and whispered prayers and love. We have lost our hero. He was an incredible husband, father and son. He was a best friend to the whole family.

‘We all feel empty and I’m not coping. He was my life, my world, my everything. Nothing could have prepared us for this.’

She recalled how her children had decorated his hospital room and spoke to him every day, either during visits or video calls at Swindon and in London.

She said: ‘I was convinced that our love would pull him through. And even when he was in hospital, he was being his happy, loving self. 

‘He would play chess via video calls with our son and even dealt with work matters.’

Despite the dangers of working on the Covid frontline, Mrs Halim insisted she never tried to stop her husband, even though they had four young children.

She said: ‘He was an incredibly gifted and dedicated doctor, right up until the very end. He always put his patients first and continued to support them after their treatment.

‘Sometimes I would get very frustrated because it always felt as if he was in the hospital or working on medial matters.

‘But he was a compassionate, caring man who made a real difference to people’s lives. 

‘I never tried to stop him from working with Covid patients because that was his life; caring for people.’

She said she met Dr Halim in 2003 at an ice-skating rink, where he was her instructor before moving into medicine.

She said: ‘I met my best friend and that was the person I went on to marry. The 18 years we were together were the best of my life and I will cherish them forever. 

‘The world has lost an incredibly caring human being.’

The couple married in 2006, with them going on to have four children, which Mrs Halim home schooled with her husband’s help.

In an emotional Facebook post this week, Dr Irfan Halim’s business partner Hash Syed paid tribute to his ‘dearest friend’, who he described as a ‘man of many talents’.

He added: ‘Most importantly, a loving father and husband and great friend.’

Dr Halim qualified from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals Medical School in 2000 with prizes and distinctions. 

He trained in general surgery with sub specialisation in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery. 

His wife Saila Halim (pictured with her husband) said when he died she was 'whispering prayers and love into his ears'

His wife Saila Halim (pictured with her husband) said when he died she was ‘whispering prayers and love into his ears’ 

Dr Halim had spent the past two years saving Covid patients and on September 10 was on a ward round when he collapsed having allegedly caught Covid at work. His children are pictured

Dr Halim had spent the past two years saving Covid patients and on September 10 was on a ward round when he collapsed having allegedly caught Covid at work. His children are pictured

In a heart-breaking post on social media, Mrs Halim said: 'Irfan you gave me fifteen magical years as your wife, four beautiful children, wonderful memories that will last me until my remaining days in this world.' Pictured: His hospital room

In a heart-breaking post on social media, Mrs Halim said: ‘Irfan you gave me fifteen magical years as your wife, four beautiful children, wonderful memories that will last me until my remaining days in this world.’ Pictured: His hospital room

A ‘medical powerhouse’ who was like ’10 men in one body’: Who was hero NHS surgeon Dr Halim Irfan

Dr Halim qualified from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals Medical School in 2000 with prizes and distinctions.

He trained in general surgery with sub specialisation in laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery on the North Thames Higher Surgical Rotation.

The medic completed his specialist training in GI surgery at UCL Hospitals, with additional specialist training in cancer surgery at the Royal Marsden Hospital. He won numerous awards and in 2014 became fellow to the Royal College of Surgeons England.

He was also qualified in law and has a master’s in surgical technology from Imperial College London as well as an MBA from the US. He previously worked as an NHS consultant surgeon at West Hertfordshire NHS Hospitals Trust and the North East London NHS Treatment Centre from 2016.

Dr Halim moved into full-time private practice and worked on day case procedures including gallbladder, hernia surgeries and cosmetic skin procedures.

During the pandemic he was shuffled on to the wards to help battle the virus and save lives at Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Wiltshire.

The medic completed his specialist training in GI surgery at UCL Hospitals, with additional specialist training in cancer surgery at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

He won numerous awards and in 2014 became fellow to the Royal College of Surgeons England. He was qualified in law and has a master’s in surgical technology from Imperial College London as well as an MBA from the US.

He previously worked as an NHS consultant surgeon at West Hertfordshire NHS Hospitals Trust and the North East London NHS Treatment Centre from 2016.

But Dr Halim moved into full-time private practice on the prestigious Harley Street and worked on day case procedures including gallbladder, hernia surgeries and cosmetic skin procedures.

He had one of the highest volume practices in Britain, with about 300 new patients arriving monthly and him operating on more than 1,200 people.

Mrs Halim said earlier online: ‘Irfan you gave me fifteen magical years as your wife, four beautiful children, wonderful memories that will last me until my remaining days in this world.

‘You gave 25 dedicated years service to the NHS working as a Consultant General Surgeon. Irfan you were not only my best friend but a best friend to all our children and so many others.’

A former colleague added: ‘Being a fighter, he never gave up. He kept believing he would recover. He didn’t smoke or drink and was someone who just helped people all the time.’

A GoFundMe page set up in Dr Halim’s memory with Mrs Halim revealing that the money raised will be used to support a number of charities he was involved in.

She said: ‘This money is not for our family because Irfan has taken care of our financial position. He helped a lot of charities while he was alive, and we want his legacy to live on by raising funds for them in his name.’

The GoFundMe says: ‘This fund has been set up for the family of Dr Irfan Halim, a wonderful talented and incredible NHS Doctor who worked hard to help others. 

Tragic Dr Irfan Halim’s business partner pays emotional tribute to ‘dearest friend’ and ‘man of many talents’

Tragic: Dr Irfan Halim (left) with business partner and friend Hash Syed

Tragic: Dr Irfan Halim (left) with business partner and friend Hash Syed

In an emotional Facebook post this week, Dr Irfan Halim’s business partner Hash Syed said:

‘Sometimes we meet people who because of their magic, have a profound impact on us. Today, I want to thank Dr. Irfan Halim.

‘Late in the summer, Irfan and I met on Y Combinator founders network with a dream to help the billions around the world lead a happier life through a healthier gut Entero Health.

‘We connected at around 22.00 one night via LinkedIn and video chatted till 2.00 in the morning.

‘We worked on our idea to solve for functional gut disorders and then pitched it to startup accelerator Antler VC where it was gladly accepted.

‘Within the space of 6 weeks, we’d identified the problem, refined the narrative, go-to-market plan ready and were days inches away from pitching for funding.

‘Most importantly we were excited about embarking on a game changing journey together to solve a huge problem.

‘Having served as a Consultant General Surgeon for over 20 years treating over 250,000 patients, Dr Irfan collapsed whilst performing surgery on Friday September 10 and it was confirmed he had a severe case of COVID.

‘He was admitted to hospital and had to undergo ECMO. Being a fighter, he never gave up. He kept believing he would recover.

‘With his wife, four children, family and friends all praying for him throughout, he kept fighting.

‘Unfortunately, my dearest friend who spent his life in the service of others, sadly passed away late on Sunday November 14.

‘I will cherish the fun we had building Entero at the Antler hub near Liverpool Street. Whether it be you riding around on your scooter, or our favourite burger bar.

‘You were the definition of service to others, and believing in more.

‘A man of many talents across being a doctor, a pilot and a lawyer. Most importantly, loving father and husband and great friend.

‘Our energy, our dream, our goal to help people lead healthier lives won’t go to waste. 

‘Thank you my friend, Dr Irfan Halim for everything.’

‘Irfan was dearly loved and touched so many peoples lives. Sadly, he was taken far too soon from those who love him.

‘Not only was he a loving husband, a devoted father of four young beautiful children, but an incredibly awesome human being to all that were blessed to have met him.

‘He spent four months away from his family at the height of the pandemic, working in the covid wards. Irfan and the NHS worked frantically to bring him home to his beautiful family, but tragically he passed away after a nine week fight against Covid.

‘We have set up this fund as close friends and family to ease the burden of losing Irfan. Irfan was the sole breadwinner for his family. May Irfan’s memory be a blessing to all who met and loved him.’

His death comes as Britain braces for another winter battling coronavirus, with death and cases data becoming increasingly hard to predict.

Infections have increased week-on-week on seven of the previous eight days, following the return of schools from half-term at the start of the month.

There were also 199 coronavirus deaths registered yesterday, marking a two per cent increase on last week’s toll. Latest hospital data shows there were 799 admissions on November 14, down 9 per cent in a week.

The Government has not put a threshold on the number of daily hospital admissions it is willing to tolerate before rolling back restrictions.

But one of its top scientific advisers, ‘Professor Lockdown’ Neil Ferguson suggested last month that figure could be 1,200.

Meanwhile Britain’s largest symptom-tracking study found the number of people falling ill with the virus every week fell by a tenth last week.

Professor Tim Spector, the eminent King’s College London scientist who runs the study, said he was ‘cautiously optimistic’ restrictions will not be needed.

Fears of Christmas curbs were raised this week when Boris Johnson admitted the draconian action was not off the cards.

The PM pointed to infection across Europe, which have sent nations back into lockdowns, as a sign of what could happen here.

Professor Spector said: ‘In terms of what it means for Christmas, I’m cautiously optimistic for the remainder of the year. It’s becoming clear that children and the school holidays play a key role in the waves of infection.

‘I think it’s safe to say that we can expect to see another rise in the new year after the holidays.’ But he still called on all Britons to get fully vaccinated against the virus, as well as ensuring they have their booster doses.

And he urged everyone to start using face masks in crowded spaces such as public transport. This was a softening of his tone from barely three weeks ago when he warned ministers should consider Plan B.

Professor Spector’s symptom study relies on daily reports from more than 750,000 Britons on whether they are feeling unwell and if they test positive for Covid.

It is based on self-reporting and dose not ask participants to give evidence of their symptoms. The latest estimates used 40,000 tests for the virus over the fortnight to November 13.

PM Mr Johnson said earlier this week that it still was not possible to rule out some Covid restrictions being reimposed.

He said: ‘Clearly we cannot rule anything out and the most important thing people can do to prevent further NPIs from being taken is to — non-pharmaceutical interventions that is, further restrictions — get the boosters.’

But he added there was still nothing in the data to suggest further restrictions were needed. Scientists fear further Covid measures may be needed if a new variant emerges that is more transmissible and better able to dodge vaccine-triggered immunity.

Last winter the Kent ‘Alpha’ variant triggered a spike in Covid cases, leading to Christmas day plans being thrust into chaos at the last minute.

To contribute to Dr Halim’s Go Fund Me, click here.   

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