Tributes have flooded in this week as yet another Tamil doctor passed away from coronavirus in the UK this week, as coronavirus infections rise across the country.
Dr Krishnan Subramanian, a Consultant Anaesthetist at Royal Derby Hospital, passed away on Thursday after contracting coronavirus. Dr Subramaniam joined the trust in 2014 as a Consultant Anaesthetist and was a well loved member of the medical team.
Gavin Boyle, Chief Executive of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, said it is “a very sad day for the UHDB family” and that “Krishnan was a hugely valued member of the team who had worked tirelessly this year to support those who needed care”.
“Our Anaesthetics and Theatres teams have worked incredibly hard this year in creating additional capacity for patients and staffing intensive care areas. For them to lose Krishnan in this way is heart-breaking and we will be doing everything to support the teams over the days and weeks to come. Losing Krishnan will undoubtedly impact on all of our staff and we have made sure that support, such as counselling, is available to all of them.”
Dr John Williams, Clinical Director of Anaesthetics and Theatres, said Dr Subramaniam “was a quiet and dedicated colleague”. “Hugely committed to his work, he stood out for his tireless patience with trainee doctors, for his professionalism and for his characteristic grin. He was a calm and reliable presence in what is often a busy working environment and I know many colleagues valued the qualities he brought to the role.”
“Away from work he was a devoted family man and a man whose faith meant a lot to him,” he added. “Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
After obtaining his medical degree from the Government Kilpauk Medical College in Chennai, Dr Subramaniam went on to achieve a Diploma in Anaesthesia from the Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute also in Tamil Nadu.
A minute's silence will be observed on Monday to pay tribute to the doctor.
His passing marks at least the third death of a Tamil doctor from coronavirus, as they treated patients during the coronavirus pandemic in the UK. Dr Vishna Rasiah, a consultant neonatologist in the Midlands, and Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, a consultant geriatrician at Kingston Hospital, both passed away in March as they worked on the frontlines of the National Health Service.
Photograph: Dr Rasiah, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital
Photograph: Dr Sebastianpillai, Kingston Hospital
See more testimonies from Tamil healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline below.
Tamil healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline – April 24th
Tamil healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline – April 20th
Tamil healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline - April 16th
Tamil healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline - April 12th
Tamil healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline - April 8th
Tamil healthcare workers on the COVID-19 frontline - April 4th
Tamil healthcare workers around the world on the COVID-19 frontline
Earlier this year, Former British Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers praised the contribution of British Tamils during a debate in parliament that discussed inequalities and levels of deaths in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities (BAME) due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“British Tamils are one of many minority communities represented in my constituency, and I have always been hugely impressed by the immense contribution they make to our national health service,” stated Villiers.
