British-Bangladeshi Dr. Farzana Hussain Ranked as NHS Best Doctor of the Year 2020

Dr. Farzana Hussain, a British-Bangladeshi general practitioner and a staff member of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, is among the health professionals who have been portrayed on billboards across London to mark the 72nd anniversary of the NHS.

Dr. Farzana Hussain, is a British Asian Doctor. She stood among the 12 frontline doctors who are pictured and whose job was highly critical during the pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

She offers duty at Project Surgery and Newham as a GP and also dealt with the COVID-19 outbreak by setting up initiatives such as online appointments and drive-through immunisation clinics and created an example of well-performed duty, humbleness, and professionalism within these tough times where even medical aids were in shortage for the hospital staff all around the world.

She said: “It’s wonderful to be part of this campaign and to be photographed by Rankin. It’s difficult to put into words how privileged I feel to be able to go to work every day and make a difference to people’s lives.”

Taking the portraits from a safe distance and behind a plastic sheet, Rankin photographed the subjects without their PPE to reveal the people behind the mask.

He said: “As the coronavirus pandemic began to unfold, I was moved by the incredible efforts of people across the NHS and I wanted to document who they are and their role in fighting this disease.”

She posted a tweet to show gratitude for all the love she is getting these days for her hard work.

Commenting on her motivation and the role of Asians in the NHS, Dr Farzana Hussain said that it “really benefits from migrants.”, Dr. Farzana Hussain said she grew up around medicine and recalled accompanying her father who came from East Pakistan at a scholarship in 1970 to join NHS, he was anaesthetist at the hospital and going around each of the wards.

“This motivated me not only to study medicine but to really remember the patients’ journey,” she said.

On National Health Service of United Kingdom’s website Dr. Farzana Hussain shared here motivational story: “When I was 19 years old and in my first term at medical school (University of Wales College of Medicine), my mum was seriously unwell with end-stage heart failure. I travelled 250 miles back home to visit her in the hospital. She looked really ill. I wasn’t sure whether I should leave her and travel back to medical school or stay. She said “you must go back. l want you to be a doctor and help people. I will be ok.” She died five days later.

Fast forward almost two decades and I cannot put into words how privileged I feel to be able to go to work every day and make a difference to people’s lives, just like mum wanted. When I look after my patients, I remember that they are someone’s family.

I run a practice in a deprived area of London. We get asked a lot about how the pandemic and the pressures we are facing has impacted our feelings towards medicine. For me, making sure that none of our patients are left behind has been really important and has motivated me to keep going. Recently we introduced a children’s immunisation drive-through clinic at the practice because we didn’t want children missing these vital appointments. Using technology, we are now also able to triage all of our patients online. The pressing need created by coronavirus has meant we were able to pull in plans and aspirations we have been discussing for years.

When we opened our drive through children’s immunisation clinic, I remember apologising to the father of a baby I was vaccinating because it was windy outside. He told me not to apologise and said that we are learning together and doing our best during this time. He’s right. We don’t have all the answers just yet and are putting the pieces together as we go along. And that’s okay.

Undoubtedly, parents play an essential role in the lives of Muslim children while they live and after they die. Dr. Farzana’s parents are the best example of it. She made it to gain the title; GP of the year 2019 as a return to her efforts.

NHS CEO, Sir Simon Stevens said: “On July 5th we also want to say thank you to those from all walks of life who have played their part in helping the NHS and our communities deal with this unprecedented health emergency.”

The collection of photographs will be showcased across the country at bus stops, roadside billboards and other public areas including Piccadilly Lights in central London throughout the week of the anniversary.

All portraits are being donated by Rankin to the NHS and advertising space to display the portraits has also been donated free of charge.