A “LEGENDARY” doctor who successfully fought Covid-19 after spending several days in intensive care and is thought to be the longest-serving GP on Teesside says he would encourage everybody to get jabbed against the virus.

Dr Ifti Lone, who is in his 44th year as a GP at Normanby Medical Centre, believes he has personally delivered more than 2,000 vaccine shots to patients since the outbreak began – and headed up a pop-up jab clinic organised by Redcar and Cleveland Council in Grangetown.

The family GP, who has been married to his wife Maryam – a fellow doctor – for 50 years, is a former Teesside magistrate and the recipient of a MBE he received in 2006 for services to local healthcare.

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Dr Lone, 74, sitting behind a desk, a box of syringes and with a bunch of consent forms in front of him, knows better than most the impact Covid can have.

In April 2020, during the first wave of the virus, he spent nine days in intensive care in Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital.

When he was eventually discharged he was applauded by medical staff lining the corridors in a show of emotion for a doctor described as “renowned” and “legendary” in the area.

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Recounting his experience, he said: “I came home on the Friday with a headache, and then I cannot remember the following Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

“I had a high temperature, was taking paracetamol, and eventually spoke to my younger brother in Pakistan, who said I didn’t sound right.

“He told a good friend who rang up my partner at the surgery and I got a phone call saying my admission had been arranged.

“I had an X-ray and the X-ray said you have got bi-lateral pneumonia.

“I was moved to intensive care, I can’t remember anything apart from I was coughing and could not breathe.

“But I never thought about death, I had faith in the people who were treating me.” Dr Lone added: “I am lucky to be alive and if I can help others…I’ve probably given about 2,000 vaccinations.

“We’ve lost so many people and I encourage everybody to have the jab.” 

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