Dubai: A 25-year-old pregnant doctor in India, who was a former student in Dubai, died following COVID-19 complications back home.
Dr Maha Basheer, who was six months pregnant with her first child, had tested negative but lost her baby days before succumbing to complications on Tuesday.
A native of Kerala, Dr Maha did her schooling in Dubai and also went for medical entrance coaching class here, according to her former classmates. She later moved to India for higher studies and did MBBS in Karnataka.
Dr Maha, who got married last year, became COVID-19 positive by mid-April and was admitted in the same hospital where she was working in Mangalore. Her husband Dr Shawafer Muhammed is currently pursuing MD.
“Apparently, she did not have major symptoms initially. Doctors tried to save the baby first. Unfortunately, they could not and she also succumbed to the complications,” a former batch mate of Dr Maha told Gulf News from India.
Reports from India said Dr Maha had tested negative two days before she passed away. Her final rites were performed at her hometown Thalassery in Kerala on Wednesday.
Rich tributes
Teachers and friends paid rich tributes to Dr Maha, who was known for her excellence in academics in the UAE and India.
Delhi Private School in Sharjah where Dr Maha studied from grade six to 12 offered heartfelt condolences to her family.
“All her teachers were totally shocked and devastated. Her senior grade class teacher was in tears even today. She remembered her as bright student, who was mature beyond her age and very polite. Teachers have very fond memories with her,” a spokesperson told Gulf News.
Dr DK Mahabalaraju, principal of Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital in Tumkur in Karnataka where Dr Maha did her MBBS, shared his grief after COVID claimed the life of the former student of 2014 batch.
In his circular to the institution’s fraternity, he said: “Loss of a young and energetic doctor. Let her soul rest in peace. May God give strength to the family to face the tragedy.”
A friend of Dr Maha said she was a brilliant student and a lovely friend. “Her family is still in shock and nobody is in a position to talk. The double tragedy is indeed heartbreaking,” the friend said from India.
