A young midwife has died from coronavirus two weeks after the death of her father.
Safaa Alam, 30, had worked at Birmingham Women’s Hospital for six years and during the early days of the Covid-19 crisis reached out to help others.
In a Facebook post she had written: “I am a midwife and will make sure you and your baby are safe when you need our help at the hospital.
“Everybody please help me stay safe by staying at home as much as you can.”
But sadly Safaa died yesterday after catching Covid-19 - two weeks after the death of her father.
A senior mental health nurse at the same hospital trust has also died after treatment for Covid-19.
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust paid tribute to 41-year-old Lillian Mudzivare for her commitment to mental health and young people.
Safaa Alam was described by the trust as an inspirational and much-loved member of staff known for her kindness and compassion.
Her distraught husband Shazad said: “Saf was my beautiful and full of life wife.
“She was very passionate about her job as a midwife and would often dedicate more than what was required.
“Whenever we visited family or friends she would naturally lean towards any children and create lasting fun activities with them full of laughter and happiness.
“She was my childhood sweetheart and we grew up together and married over four years ago.
“My years with Saf have been filled with love, fun and adventure; this was just the beginning of our lives together, her passing has been premature.
“She has left an empty feeling and space in my life and for many others which will take a long time to heal but I will remember her with love for her courage, patience and kindness.”
Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust, said: “Safaa was an amazing midwife whose skills and expertise helped to bring hundreds of new lives in to the world, whilst supporting women on their journey to motherhood.
“We promise to continue to uphold Safaa’s values and commitment to safe maternity care, wrapped up in the kindness and compassion she exemplified.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family as they come to terms with their devastating loss.”
Paying tribute to Lillian, she said: "Lillian was a much-loved member of our Forward Thinking Birmingham team whose bubbly, vibrant and bright approach touched the lives of everyone who knew her."
Safaa's colleague Daisy Laura posted on Facebook yesterday: “My work family lost a very special midwife today and we are completely devastated.
“There are no words to describe the pain Safaa has left behind. I cannot take in how such a young, beautiful, clever woman with so much to give, can be taken so cruelly.
“Our thoughts rest with her family who are suffering immense loss. We love you Safaa.”
Fellow midwife Linda Lilwall wrote: “A devastating loss of such a beautiful smiling angel, such a wonderful kind and loving midwife.
“No words can express the shock and heartbreak of such a vibrant young woman being taken so cruelly by covid.”
Safaa’s friend Tianna Jarrett-Williams posted on Facebook: “Words cannot describe the sadness I feel after learning that a lovely friend and incredible midwife Safaa has been taken from us.
“Such a beautiful, ambitious, caring and hardworking woman with a huge heart.
“Thinking of her family and everyone who knew her, the pain of her passing is felt so deeply across all the lives she touched. I pray she rests in eternal paradise <3”
