The son of well-respected former Tameside GP and leading NHS campaigner Dr Kailash Chand OBE has paid a moving personal tribute to 'the most amazing father that anyone could wish for'.

Dr Chand sadly passed away on Monday evening (26 July) at the age of 73 after suffering a cardiac arrest. 

Kailash worked for 25 years as a GP in Ashton, while he was the first Asian honorary vice president of the British Medical Association (BMA), and had stints as Chair of Healthwatch Tameside, and Tameside and Glossop Primary Care Trust. 

During his 35-year career in the NHS, the eminent GP also tirelessly campaigned for improving standards and fought to stop it from being privatised, as well as promoting public health at a local, regional and national level.  

Dr Kailash Chand 

In a video message shared on Twitter on Wednesday (28 July), Dr Malhotra said: "I'm completely heartbroken by the passing of my father Dr Kailash Chand Malhotra on Monday evening. 

"To say that we were close is an understatement. 

"More than just being the most amazing father that anyone could wish for, he was also my best friend on so many levels. 

"In the public eye, he will be remembered as a staunch defender of the NHS and its core values. 

"But beyond that, he personally touched many many lives with his wisdom, kindness and compassion. 

"I am so overwhelmed by the messages of support and love for him and for me across social media. 

"No one would have been more moved by those messages than him. Thank you." 

Dr Aseem Malhotra 

There has been a huge number of tributes to Dr Chand from politicians, leaders, healthcare organisations, medical professionals, former patients, friends and members of the public. 

You can read just some of them here. 

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