A Croydon doctor has been named the nation's top doctor for his 'amazing' efforts during Covid-19.
Dr Mayank Agarwal, lead in Croydon's Emergency Department, was awarded in the Sun on Sunday’s ‘Hail Your Heroes’ awards.
The 47-year-old has helped Croydon University Hospital to care for thousands of people needing emergency treatment during the pandemic.
Nominated by his wife Chandi, a GP in Sutton, Dr Agarwal has worked 'tirelessly' to protect the public and support his emergency care team.
Dr Mayank Agarwal, lead emergency care consultant at Croydon University Hospital said: “We are right at the coalface in the Emergency Department, treating people with all conditions, not just coronavirus.
"This is a once in a lifetime crisis and we have needed to pull out all the stops.
"I could not be more proud of how we have risen to the challenge in Croydon and I will share this award with my whole team.”
An emergency consultant in Croydon since 2011, Mayank has helped the hospital care for more than 1,500 people with Covid-19, at the same time as keeping services running for anyone needing urgent and emergency treatment for anyone needing non-covid care.
At the height of the first wave, Mayank also suffered his own personal loss when his father sadly passed away from a short illness.
He was also advised to shield during the initial lockdown due to his lung condition but continued to deliver emergency treatment.
Mayank said: “The personal loss for people has been huge. For many, Covid-19 can have mild symptoms, but for some, it has very serious complications.
"We were seeing patients that were much sicker than I was. This is the job we trained for- to care for people when they need us the most, so I chose to stay and support my team.
"We are in this together and that after six months, I am just grateful that I’ve been able to travel to India to lay my father to rest.”
Dr Nnenna Osuji, Medical Director at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said: “Mayank is an incredible physician and amazing person. We are fortunate to have him on our team.
"His dedication to his patients and colleagues is testament to how much we care in Croydon, and across the wider NHS.
"This pandemic has tested us like never before, but we are rising above it to care for our community because of people like Mayank and his team.”
The Sun on Sunday awards are given to frontline workers and volunteers who have helped to make the nation proud throughout the pandemic.
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