A TALENTED and dedicated hospital consultant has paid the ultimate price for serving on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

Father-of-three Dr Nasir Khan died at the Royal Bolton Hospital, aged 46. 

His family, friends and colleagues paid tribute to the medic, describing him as a real-life hero.

His son Mahad Ali Khan said: “My dad was a loving, caring and much-loved father, husband, son, brother and friend. 

“He dedicated his life to his family and profession. He was incredibly strong and we always turned to him for support, as he was a shining light of guidance. 

“He was compassionate, humble and loyal. 

“He always put his family and friends before himself and was extremely giving. 

“He would always look for the slightest of excuses to help those in need. 

“His hard-working nature and charming personality allowed him to make life even more enjoyable.

"We strive to achieve the greatness that was my dad and fulfill the dreams he has left behind. Miss you dad! X”

The Bolton News:

The hard-working doctor, who lived in Bolton, was working as a locum at Dewsbury and District Hospital in West Yorkshire and had been commuting from the family home to care for patients.

At 8pm on Thursday — as the nation applauded NHS staff and carers across the country — the Union Flag was flying at half mast at the hospital in honour of Dr Khan.

Martin Barkley, chief executive of The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Dr Khan had worked with us since November last year and in those six months he had become a very well-liked and valued member of the team with everyone, including nursing and junior doctor colleagues. 

“They have spoken of his incredibly positive nature, his kindness and his compassion for his patients. 

“He also showed fantastic leadership. He was absolutely dedicated to the well-being of the junior staff he was working with, and his thoughtfulness and considerate manner shone out to everyone who met him.

“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have had such a doctor as Dr Khan working for the Trust, and we are all devastated to learn of his death. It is impossible to put into words how much our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

Friend and colleague Dr Talhat Afzal said he had worked with Dr Khan twice, once in Preston and then at Fairfield Hospital, Bury, when Dr Khan was a consultant in general medicine, and the two became good friends.

Dr Afzal said: “I had only seen him two days before lockdown in the supermarket as I live in Bolton too. 

“We had a chat, we didn’t shake hands because of social distancing and we said we could catch up later on the phone.

“I found that he had developed covid-19 symptoms, and I called him and sent messages. He replied and said he was not feeling well and for me to pray for him.

“I carried on sending him messages and even though he couldn’t reply, I could see that he had seen them.

“It is so difficult for me to talk about this. He was such a talented doctor, he was so polite and so nice. He was always smiling even with the stress and pressures of the job.

“Patients were his priority, he always cared for his patients. He was a passionate and talented doctor, what you wanted to see in a consultant.

“He would always encourage his colleagues and motivate them.”

Dr Afzal was one of a very limited number of people to be able to attend the funeral service of Dr Khan on Wednesday at the Zakariyya Mosque in Bolton.

Local councillor Hamid Ali Khurram also paid tribute to Dr Khan. 

He said: “He was a real life hero. I am shocked to hear of his death. Dr Khan was working on the frontline caring for others.”

Dozens of tributes have been paid to Dr Khan on social media. 

One wrote: “He was our acute medical consultant. 

"He always had a smile on his face and was very polite and respectful to all. 

"He was one amazing person. We have lost an amazing friend. My thoughts and prayers go to his family.”