Tributes paid to BBC Life and Birth neonatologist who died of COVID-19
BBC’s Life and Birth pays tribute to ‘irreplaceable’ NHS neonatologist who was seen visiting a newborn baby with sepsis in last night’s episode, revealing he’s since died from COVID-19
- Dr Vishna Rasiah, 48, who worked in Birmingham, died of COVID-19 in April
- He appeared in episode of BBC documentary Life and Birth that aired last night
- Dr Rasiah was seen at the bedside of a baby boy who was born with sepsis
- Colleagues, viewers and BBC crew paid tribute to the ‘irreplaceable’ doctor
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The BBC last night paid tribute to an NHS doctor who died of COVID-19 months after filming a hospital documentary series.
Dr Vishna Rasiah, 48, who worked as a consultant neonatologist across Birmingham Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospitals, died as a result of coronavirus on 23 April.
He featured in last night’s episode of Life and Birth, which was filmed in August and September 2019 across three Birmingham hospitals.
The married father-of-one is understood to have been a ‘huge supporter’ of the project and crew involved in the show said it was an ‘honour’ to work with him. Producers dedicated last night’s episode to the frontline worker.
Dr Vishna Rasiah, 48, who worked as a consultant neonatologist across Birmingham Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospitals, died as a result of coronavirus on 23 April. Last night’s episode of BBC’s Life and Birth was dedicated to the doctor and marked his death (pictured)
Viewers, colleagues and TV crew paid tribute to Dr Rasiah, describing him as ‘irreplaceable’
In last night’s episode, Dr Rasiah, known to his friends as Vish, was seen paying a bedside visit to a father and his newborn son, who had been born with sepsis.
Baby Beauden was placed on a ventilator and a course of antibiotics immediately after birth while his mother, Jeanette, who also had sepsis, had to wait days before she was strong enough to hold her son.
Dr Rasia, the ‘clinical lead’ for regional neonatal work, visited Beauden and anxious father Dean to deliver some good news.
He said: ‘I’m Dr Rasiah one of the consultants working here. Congratulations with your little boy.
‘Our plan today is, if he carries on improving, then hopefully he will come off the ventilator and you will just need to complete the course of the antibiotics.’
He also told Dean he could bring Jeanette into the room to hold Beauden for the first time. At the end of the episode producers paid tribute to Dr Rasiah with a photo.
Dr Rasiah featured in last night’s episode of Life and Birth (pictured), which was filmed in August and September 2019 across three Birmingham hospitals
In last night’s episode, Dr Rasiah was seen paying a bedside visit to a father and his newborn son, who had been born with sepsis. Pictured, father Dean speaking to Dr Rasiah
Dr Rasiah He also told Dean he could bring new mother Jeanette into the room to hold Beauden for the first time. Pictured, the emotional moment between mother and son
The poignant moment struck a chord with viewers. One tweeted: ‘I’m not really one for watching ‘birth’ programmes but I found this weeks episode of #LifeAndBirth so special. Then the dedication at the end to Dr Vishna Rasiah just unlocked the floodgates.’
Another posted: ‘#LifeAndBirth totally crying the Dr Vishna Rasiah passed away with Covid19 what a hero.’
A third wrote: ‘That was such an emotional episode. All those new little humans being born and then realising at the end that Dr Vishna Rasiah was one of the doctors who lost their life to Covid-19. An awfully sad ending. #LifeAndBirth.’
Colleagues praised Dr Rasiah for leaving a ‘wonderful legacy’ behind.
The poignant moment struck a chord with viewers, TV crew and colleagues alike
Announcing Dr Rasiah’s death on April 24, Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of Birmingham Women and Children’s Foundation NHS Trust, said: ‘Vish was an amazing doctor, leader, colleague and friend who was passionate about the care of babies and their families.
‘Losing him in such a cruel and unfair way will be too much to bear for many of us, in particular anyone involved in neonatal care, and of course his beautiful wife and daughter.
‘As our tears flow, we must always remember the values that Vish stood for, and hold his vision, courage and compassion in our hearts. God bless you Vish, and may you rest in peace.’
Dr Rasiah’s funeral was held on 4 May. The hearse was driven Women’s Hospital where horns sounded from ambulances and staff lined the street to pay tribute to the doctor.
His wife, Liza, thanked Worcestershire Royal Hospital staff for their ‘kindness, compassion and care’ towards her husband.
She said: ‘We’re devastated at losing our beloved Vish. He was such a loving husband and father to our beautiful daughter Katelyn, and much loved son and brother to our family in Malaysia and Trinidad.
‘His whole family meant the world to him, and he absolutely doted on Katelyn. Vish loved his work; to him it was so much more than a job and his colleagues are part of our family too.
‘He treated every patient and family he cared for as his own. I couldn’t have been prouder of him.
‘I would like to thank the staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital for the kindness, compassion and the care that they have provided to us over an incredibly difficult past few weeks.’
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