THE funeral procession of a much-loved doctor who died after contracting coronavirus will pass by his GP practice in Ramsbottom this morning.
Dr Saad Al-Dubbaisi, who worked at Garden City Medical Centre in Holcombe Brook, died at Salford Royal Hospital on Sunday.
The practice will be closed today to allow practice staff to show their respect to Dr Al-Dubbaisi and his family.
The funeral procession will pass the practice at 11.30am this morning.
It is understood that the procession will also drive through Bury town centre.
People who wish to attend are urged to maintain social distancing measures by keeping at least two metres between each other at all times.
The 59-year-old GP had been ill for five weeks after contracting coronavirus.
Dr Al-Dubbaisi was born in Iraq and graduated from Baghdad Medical College in 1983 and worked as a GP in Bury for almost 20 years.
The Iraqi doctor is believed to be the first GP in Greater Manchester to die from coronavirus.
He lived in Walshaw with his wife Monah and had two daughters, Halah and Zainab, who are also doctors.
Dr Jeff Schryer, Bury NHS clinical commissioning group (CCG) chair who is also a GP in Prestwich, paid tribute to Dr Al-Dubbaisi at a virtual meeting of the strategic commissioning board on Monday afternoon.
He said: “He was a very important part of that practice family. He will be very much missed by his staff and patients.
“It’s a very sad day. He was part of the Bury community, part of the Bury family and he’ll be sadly missed by all of us.”
Dr Schryer also revealed plans for a minutes’ silence to be held later this week in honour of Dr Al-Dubbaisi, with more details to follow.
He also said told board members his medical practice is collecting tributes to the GP and a memorial book is expected to be available to sign at the practice once lockdown restrictions are over.
A book of condolence for Dr Saad Al-Dubbaisi is available for patients and the people of Bury to share their thoughts and memories in.
In light of social distancing, people are asked to e-mail the words they would like added to the book to buccg.gardencity@nhs.net.
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