A housekeeper who went ‘above and beyond’ has become the fourth frontline worker to die at one hospital as another eight NHS workers are killed by coronavirus.
Momudou ‘Mo’ Dibba, who worked on Watford General Hospital’s Letchmore and Lengley wards, died on April 29 after testing positive for the deadly virus.
Mr Dibba would often work extra shifts on reception after finishing his main job in the ward, the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said as it paid tribute to the housekeeper.
‘Anyone who knew Mo would know how kind, caring and considerate he was to patients and staff,’ the trust said in a statement.
‘He would go above and beyond for everyone, organising staff leaving parties and supporting everyone in their roles. He will be sorely missed.’
Momudou ‘Mo’ Dibba (left), who worked on Watford General Hospital’s Letchmore and Lengley wards, died on April 29 after testing positive for the deadly virus. Pictured right: Mental health worker Charles Kwame Tanor who died on March 11
Nurses Ate Wilma Banaag and John Alagos and healthcare assistant Khalid Jamil also died while working on the hospital’s frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
Stephanie Willocks, a former matron and ward sister at the hospital, died after contracting the virus. She retired in 2005 but had been supporting the trust as a nursing mentor.
A mental health worker dubbed the ‘best dad ever’ is also among the latest NHS workers to die after contracting the killer disease.
Charles Kwame Tanor, 39, who worked at Eden Place Mental Health Nursing Home in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, died on March 11 after falling ill with the virus.
He left behind his partner Prudence King as well as his four-year-old son Charles and his 12-year-old stepson.
Miss King said the family have been ‘devastated’ by the father’s death, after last seeing him being taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Charles Kwame Tanor (pictured with Prudence King), 39, who worked at Eden Place Mental Health Nursing Home in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, died on March 11 after falling ill with the virus
He left behind his partner Prudence King as well as his four-year-old son Charles (pictured together) and his 12-year-old stepson
‘My youngest son used to wait by the window for his daddy to come home from his night shifts, and he still does that,’ she said.
‘He keeps saying to me “When is Daddy coming home from hospital?” It’s something I have to go through every single morning.
‘I’m trying to make him understand, I say to him “Look outside at the sky; if you see the stars, that’s where Daddy is.”
‘My eldest is 12 and he understands, and he’s devastated. He just keeps crying and I don’t know how to console him.’
Originally from Ghana, Mr Tanor joined a film company and produced short series programmes before moving to the UK around two decades ago.
He had successfully completed a Level 1 introductory course in digital photography at Coventry College, while working night shifts at Eden Place Mental Health Nursing Home in Leamington Spa.
Pictured left: Healthcare support worker Afua Fofie and right: Jennie Sablayan, a haematology nurse
Ms Sablayan, 44, had been working at the University College London Hospital (UCLH) for more than 18 years, having previously trained in the Philippines
Mr Tanor’s course teacher at Coventry College, Iva Dyke, said: ‘I only began teaching Charles at the start of this year, but he was a lively and fun student, with a great enthusiasm for learning new skills.
‘He was passionate about image creating and was always ready to help and engage with other students.
‘Charles was a pleasure to have in the class. I was saddened to hear that such a caring and young life was taken. My deepest condolences go out to all of his loved ones.’
Tributes have also been paid to two London healthcare workers who recently died after contracting coronavirus.
Jennie Sablayan, a haematology nurse, and Afua Fofie, a healthcare assistant, both passed away after testing positive for the virus.
More than 140 frontline NHS and care workers are now known to have died during the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed 29,501 people in total amid 196,243 cases in the UK.
Domestic services worker Eleuterio Gibela, known by colleagues as Boy, died on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19
Ms Sablayan, 44, had been working at the University College London Hospital (UCLH) for more than 18 years, having previously trained in the Philippines.
She was described by UCLH as an ‘expert in her field’ who treated patients with leukaemia and lymphoma with kindness and dedication.
According to a GoFundMe set up to raise money in her memory, she died on May 5 and leaves behind a husband and two daughters.
UCLH chief executive Marcel Levi said: ‘UCLH staff and patients will remember Jennie for her hard-working and unassuming approach during her 18 years of invaluable service.
‘We will miss her terribly, her humour, her compassion, her friendship and her humbleness in supporting her team and her patients.
‘Our thoughts are with her husband Joel and her two children, her friends and other loved ones.’
Ms Fofie, a healthcare assistant on the Pamela Bryant Ward at Teddington Memorial Hospital, died last month, however her family were not ready to share details at the time.
The Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare Trust confirmed her death and described her as being ‘known for her infectious laugh and willingness to go the extra mile for patients and her colleagues’.
It added: ‘She always put her patients first and her loss will be keenly felt by those who knew her and worked alongside her.’
Domestic services worker Eleuterio Gibela, known by colleagues as Boy, died on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19.
The 68-year-old had worked at Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Trust for nearly 20 years.
Described as ‘a true gentleman’, members of the critical care team who cared for Mr Gibela said: ‘It was a privilege to care for Boy in his final weeks of life.
‘We mourn his loss. He was one of our own. Sending our deepest condolences to you all in this time of grief. You are in our thoughts and prayers.’
The deaths of patient transport driver Van Lang Hoang and ambulance care assistant have also been confirmed by the Barts Health NHS Trust this week.
Dr Habibhai Babu, senior house officer at Whipps Cross Hospital, also passed away due to coronavirus, the NHS Trust announced.