A senior midwife has been named as the first frontline health worker to die from coronavirus in The Gambia.

Maw Ceesay died Sunday at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

Tributes have been paid to the “hardworking” and “down to earth” nurse. 

The National Association of Gambia Nurses and Midwives said in a tribute on Facebook:

“Maw was well-known for his renowned kindness, good moral, faith, and love for his job and humanity at large. 

“As he answers to the Almighty Allah, the Committee on behalf of NAGANM wishes to extend its condolences to the family, friends, and love ones.

“We pray that Allah the Almighty forgive his shortcomings and grant him Janatul Firdaws.

“The burial schedule will be communicated accordingly.”

The late Maw Ceesay, a diabetic with underlying health conditions, is said to have developed a pneumonia-like symptoms before his death. A sample taken from his remains tested positive for coronavirus. 

The death of the frontline healthcare worker takes The Gambia’s coronavirus deaths to three.