A lasting tribute has been unveiled to a “gentle giant” GP at the Rainham surgery he founded and worked from for nearly 20 years.
Former colleagues of Dr Abdul-Razaq Abdullah were joined at Rainham Health Centre on 4 Dec, by MP Margaret Mullane, local NHS representatives and members of the practice’s Patient Participation Group as a plaque was unveiled in his memory.
Dr Abdul-Razaq died from Covid-19 on 8 December 2020 at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, where he had spent a month being treated after contracting the virus. He was 68.
The father-of-five worked with the NHS for more than 30 years after coming to the UK from Iraq in 1985. He started as a doctor at the former Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, before establishing his own GP surgery – Rainham Health Centre in Upminster Road South.
Working as a sole partner at the practice, he became a popular and respected figure in the local community, with many patients and colleagues describing him as a “gentle giant”.
Since Dr Abdullah’s death, thousands of pounds have been raised for good causes in his memory, but members of Rainham Health Centre’s Patients Participation Group (PPG) were keen to ensure his dedication to the local community was also marked in a permanent way and agreed that a plaque at his former surgery would be a fitting tribute.
The idea was supported by Margaret Mullane, the MP for Dagenham and Rainham, who provided funding for the plaque, and by the practice’s current management team, Operose Health. After a several months’ planning, the unveiling took place yesterday – just four days short of the fifth anniversary of Dr Abdullah’s death.
Among those who attended the event were members of Dr Abdullah’s family.
Fay Hough, Chair of Rainham Health Centre PPG, said:
“To see Dr Abdullah commemorated at the surgery fills us with emotion as he would be so grateful if he was here today. He is still very much missed by patients, and the unveiling of this plaque means he will always be in everyone’s thoughts.
“We’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Margaret Mullane MP for providing the money for the plaque, and to all the staff who have worked hard to push this along with the PPG.”
Jordanna Hamberger, Head of Primary Care at NHS North East London, said:
“Dr Abdullah was a dedicated and compassionate GP who genuinely cared for his patients and was popular and respected among his colleagues, so the unveiling of this plaque – at the practice he founded – provides a very welcome and fitting tribute.
“It is the perfect way for his long service to the NHS, and his commitment to the local community in Rainham, to be honoured.”
Margaret Mullane, MP for Dagenham and Rainham, said:
“Dr Abdullah was a valued member of the Rainham and Wennington community and adored by many. He loved his work and always put patients first.
“I am glad we are able to commemorate him with this wonderful plaque, as this way, his life and work will never be forgotten.”
Kate Adams, Practice Manager at Rainham Health Centre, said:
“Dr Abdullah left an enduring legacy of compassion and high-quality care. We’re honoured to carry that legacy forward and to continue building on the foundations he laid for this practice.”