A Fife man who fought to receive potentially lifesaving cancer treatment has lost his battle against his illness.
Tarek Ramzi from Methil died last Monday without ever starting the pioneering CyberKnife treatment to remove tumours from his lung.
His wife Senga has paid tribute to her “brave, brave husband”, who had twice beaten cancer before being diagnosed for a third time.
She said Tarek had fought for treatment for himself as well as for every other cancer patient in Scotland, and had retained his humour to the end.
Mr Ramzi was initially denied funding from NHS Fife for the £22,000 CyberKnife treatment which is only available south of the border.
In April, the 56-year-old told The Courier he feared that without the non-invasive treatment which directs pencil beams of radiation at affected areas, he would have between six months and a year to live.
Local people began fundraising to help him pay for private therapy and he enlisted the help of local councillor and health campaigner Andrew Rodger in a bid to persuade health bosses to change their minds.
He and Senga fought a relentless campaign and researched the benefits of CyberKnife themselves, which allowed them to press their case.
His despair finally turned to joy in June when following various meetings with the health board, he was told his funding had been approved and he said he had been thrown a lifeline.
Sadly, the news came too late and he was unable to receive the treatment he had fought so hard for.
“He was a very, very brave person and his fight to get treatment made him strong”, said Senga. “He never lay down to it and never gave up so it was quite a shock when we had to phone an ambulance for him.”
Mr Ramzi died in hospital with Senga and daughters Tina and Tamara by his side. His step-son John Boy and sons-in-law Mark and Naveed were also with him.
“He wasn’t in pain and he never suffered”, said Senga. “He went very peacefully.
“He was always thanking everybody for what they had done and he was amazed people could be so nice.”
Mr Rodger said he was saddened to hear of Mr Ramzi’s death, and described him as a humble and decent man.
“He deserved to get that treatment months ago, and that’s the sad thing,” he said. “He had a will to live and wanted to get on with his life. His death is a very sad loss to the community and his family.”