A family doctor who received death threats from anti-vaxxers during the pandemic has died suddenly.
Dr Wilson Chin, who was described as 'gentle and kind', had previously broken down in tears as he described the abuse he received while running a Covid vaccination clinic on Australia 's Gold Coast.
The British-trained Hong Kong-born doctor, who emigrated to Australia in 2018, passed away shortly before Christmas.
Dr Chin was popular with patients and colleagues at the Pacific Pines MedCentres, and known in his local community for walking his dog Splash.
He made headlines in January this year when he tried to warn people of a false rumour being spread on social media that claimed two girls had fainted and died after treatment at Pacific Pines MedCentres.
It was claimed that both girls collapsed and began screaming - but Dr Chin confirmed to 9News at the time that it was simply 'a fainting episode' unrelated to the vaccine.
The girls suffered no ill health impacts after fainting.
Dr Chin took to Facebook, writing: "I have been in touch with the parents every day since the children fainted, even before the news channels approached me.
"I can confirm they are doing very well and would like to ask everyone to respect their privacy please."
But the medical centre became a target for a barrage of abuse, forcing it to put an end to the under-12 vaccination programme and reporting calls and online threats to Gold Coast police.
Dr Chin told 9News: "The death threats and threats from those out there are not worth us jeopardising the safety of our staff."
The abuse included claims that the centre was 'poisoning kids' and 'kid killers' worked there, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
RACGP president Karen Price said the abuse was 'unacceptable'.
She said: "Dr Chin had to stay at a friend's place because he was so concerned for his safety and there have been sleepless nights for fellow GPs, the practice manager and the other members of the practice team.
"[This] shows you how reckless anti-vaxxers can be.
"Facts, reason, and rationality don't matter – only their twisted agenda", Dr Price added.
Pacific Pines MedCentres director Deon Raju confirmed on Wednesday that Dr Chin had passed away.
He told the Gold Coast Bulletin the cause of death was due to a medical issue and was 'not mental health related'.
Mr Raju said: "He was gentle, kind and always had a smile on his face."
Online, one patient described Dr Chin, who was known to patients as 'Dr Wilson', as "such a wonderful doctor".
Another said: "So very sad, such a lovely attentive Dr … RIP Dr Wilson."
Dr Chin had studied medicine in the UK for 14 years before moving to Australia's Gold Coast in 2018.
His specialist areas were children's medicine, palliative care and medicinal marijuana.
