Usama Riaz

Usama Riaz was a Pakistani physician from Gilgit-Baltistan.

Career

During his career, Riaz screened pilgrims who had returned to Pakistan from Iran.
He also treated people in intensive care diagnosed with COVID-19, despite lacking personal protective equipment, which increased his personal risk.

Death

Riaz died on 23 March 2020, from COVID-19 complications at the age of 26. Riaz was the first Pakistani doctor to die from the virus.
On 27 March 2020, he was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Kashmir, the highest award of the state, by Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir for his services. Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan called his death a "national tragedy".