Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Hundreds of relatives, friends, and members of the medical community mourned the tragic demise of Dr. Afaf Felimban, consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, and her colleague Lina Taha. Dr. Afaf and Lina drowned in Jeddah Corniche on Saturday in the midst of their attempt to rescue two young women from drowning when they saw the girls battling for life as huge waves almost overwhelm them.

Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Dr. Mohammed Felimban, nephew of Dr. Afaf, recounted that Dr. Afaf arrived in Jeddah last Thursday on her weekend to visit the family members. He said that a large number of near and dear attended janaza prayer for her and flocked to the cemetery for her funeral and offered condolences on her tragic departure.

Dr. Felimban said that Sunday, Muharram 9, is the first day of mourning for men in Al-Bukhari Mosque while her home in Al-Marjan neighborhood is the place for condolence for women.

He said several mourners lauded courage of his departed aunt and her friend. They spoke about the charitable work that Dr. Afaf continued to provide to the needy, orphans as well as to the sick, and those seeking treatment. Many of her patients said that the late doctor helped them with treatment to have children. He recalled that the family had received hundreds of calls and messages offering condolences and expressing sorrow and sympathy over her departure.

The medical community also mourned the death of Dr. Afaf, praising her professional skills, her dedication, high morals, and exemplary behavior with her patients and her colleagues. Many colleagues from the medical community mourned Dr. Afaf and spoke about her good qualities.

Dr. Suleiman Al-Quwaifli said: “Afaf died while she was at the helm of giving and charity, as usual, to save two youngsters from drowning, along with her friend Lina. I supplicate God to accept them as martyrs and bestow patience and solace to all their family members.”

Her colleague Al-Maha said: “Dr. Afaf was a teacher of morals and when I visited her recently she imparted me several lessons as if her heart was beating with tenderness. May God have mercy on the humane doctor.” “It is rare to find someone like her, the eyes are tearful and the heart grieves, and I am saddened by your separation, doctor.”

Abdullah Al-Majiol, another colleague, said: “May God have mercy on Dr. Afaf; how many lives she saved in her clinic with her scalpel. She was not satisfied with the rescue operations in the clinic and went out through her efforts to save two girls who were battling for life in the sea to rise to God as a martyr!”

On her part, Dr. Umm al-Khair said: “I was devastated by the news of the demise of friend Dr. Afaf. Until the last moments in her life, she continued to help people and try to save them.”

Dr. Azzam Al-Qadi said: “She was known for her medical skills and high morals with her patients and with her colleagues, and she was a balm for everyone who knew her.”