Many of us have heard or even uttered this phrase at least once in our lifetime, most likely during a movie session. And more often than not, the heros seldom die. It almost never happens in our Nollywood movies.
But life isn't Nollywood. In real life, there are no film tricks and if the actor isn't careful, actor go die and the Hero will become the victim.
This is the sad case of Dr Sheik Umar Khan, the Sierra Leonean who was involved in the management of more than 100 cases of Ebola virus in his country since the epidemic started in March .
He was the only Viral Hemorrhagic Fever specialist in Sierra Leone.
The 39 year old doctor who was said to have contracted the disease last week died yesterday from the same illness.
He is no doubt a National Hero in his country and would be honoured by the world as one who gave his life for a cause he believed in.
He set out to help stop the epidemic of this deadly virus but lost his life in the line of duty.
I wonder if I would do the same.
Would you?
I can't imagine the pains and dread that this Dr would have felt as he watched life slip gradually away from him. What horror his attending physician must have experienced as he pronounced his colleague dead.
Dr Khan's death reminds me of the character Khan played by Shah Rukh Khan in the movie ' My name is Khan'; 'Khan from the epiglottis'. These 2 fellows had more than their names in common, they both put in all their efforts for the cause they believed in.
A lot of heroes that we celebrate today died for the cause they believed in. Dr Sheik Umor Khan has joined that league and will be remembered for this.
The question is ' what will I be remembered for?'
What do you stand for?
Is that cause worth your life?
I'm happy he fulfilled his purpose, better than if he lived to see cases of the disease, and not play his part.
ReplyDeleteDeath is inevitable! But what will one be remembered for?
Lots of people av causes they stand for. Unfortunately in Nigeria, heroes are never recognised.
ReplyDeleteThe Sierra Leonean doctor died for a worthy cause, but I don't think I would do the same if such a situation arises in Nigeria. Cos if I die, it would be water under the bridge as usual. Only my family and friends would feel the pain of my loss.
Even the patients you give your life to save would not appreciate you. They see it as part of your duties. No renumeration, no kudos from your government, nothing to help your family cope with the loss.
Personally, I'm not sure I would have given my life the way he did.
Reminds me of Dr. Aniru Conteh, a lassa fever expert, who also died in the battle against lassa fever....
ReplyDeletehttp://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniru_Conteh
Hmmmn... God help us all...
May be we shd put it this way that " the mighty have fallen". But that's not the issue. I personal salute the courage of most professionals who often stake their lives in the line of their duties. 2 things are involved here. They stake their lives due to: 1.the passion they have for the work. 2.just to make names (like mountain climbers). But i wouldnt know what to say in the case of this our specialist who so much loved his life. Before his diagnosis, Dr Khan told reporters: "I am afraid for my life, I must say, because I cherish my life." That notwithstanding, I'll like to encourage our medical practitioners to venture into some risk by calculation and not by adaptation. Life's good! (VisionClub)
ReplyDelete