COVID-19: Meghalaya doctor laid to rest at Shillong cemetery

Shillong: Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang, the first COVID-19 patient and fatality of Meghalaya, was finally laid to rest at Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Lawmali, Shillong on Thursday afternoon.

A doctor, a father, a husband, and a friend, Dr Sailo made a tremendous contribution to the state. Working on the frontline to save lives, he lost his life fighting the deadly virus.

Officials from the Shillong Municipal Board flanked the deceased doctor’s coffin, a dark brown one, with full protective gear on. The last rites were carried out by Reverend ER Tynsong and were covered in blue protective gear.

Several people took to social media to pay their tributes. People who knew Dr Sailo could only be with him and mourn his death by watching the visuals that were streaming on social media.

Taking to Twitter, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma tweeted, “Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang laid to rest at the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Cemetery today. Kindness is the need of the hour and our gratitude goes to the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church for their gesture. May his soul rest in peace.”

Senior Journalist Patricia Mukhim posted on Facebook, “Finally the burial of Dr John Sailo Ryntathiang..May you rest in eternal peace where no human travails will ever touch you. Bethany Hospital’s motto is compassion, care and commitment.
May you continue to bless all in Bethany who will be carrying on with your legacy of serving every patient with kindness and a smiling face…
Above all, gratitude to the staff of Shillong Municipal Board..You are doing yeoman’s service…”

Another emotional post on Facebook read, “The passing away of Dr.J.L.Sailo is a tragic loss to the family, Bethany hospital and to the state and nation as a whole.
He had served the public all of his adult life and had been instrumental in bringing upgraded health services to the people of our state over the years.
For me, the loss is personal because when I was fighting for my life in 1989 with cerebral malaria, it was Dr. Sailo who took care of me when he was still serving in Robert’s hospital, yes, it was the Lord who did the miracle, but it was this doctor who fought with me through 7 days of being unconscious and I was supposed to die by any medical expert’s estimate. I am grateful to the Lord for him. I urge that we pray for all the family members.”