London, Oct 29 (IANS): A British-Indian doctor has climbed the highest mountain peak in Africa to thank hospital staff in Britain for the care they gave to one of his friends and patients, a media report said.

Ash Patel, who works at Longton Health Centre in Lancashire, undertook the challenge in order to raise funds for the Royal Stoke University Hospital where his 54-year-old friend and patient Mahesh Patel breathed his last after suffering a heart attack in September, The Sentinel reported on Thursday.

"I've known Mahesh for 30 years, he was a friend as well as a patient. The hospital did an excellent job," the doctor was quoted as saying.

He said the trek to the top of Africa's tallest mountain peak, which he undertook from September 12 to 22, was an incredible challenge but worth the effort.

"It's about 6,000 metres and probably the toughest challenge I have ever undertaken. I think the fact I was doing it to raise money for the hospital really got me through it."

"Sadly Mahesh died on September 21, the day before I got back," he said.

The doctor raised 1,001 pounds for the hospital, which will be spent on the intensive care unit.