Being trapped inside PPE suits, battling the fear of contracting Covid-19 and not meeting children, spouses or parents for weeks. But that is what they signed up for and that is what they do, say the doughty doctors and nurses at the AIIMS Trauma Centre.
While an increasing number of doctors are getting infected and losing their lives every day, a substantial number of them have been found to be general practitioners.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who acknowledged the contribution of healthcare workers during this pandemic, but the statistics of healthcare workers who died due to Covid-19 were missing from the 19th paragraph of the statement on September 14
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) criticized the Union government for not maintaining the statistics of doctors who have sacrificed their lives while treating the patients of Covid-19.
According to the IMA, the government concealed the morbidity and mortality of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers during Covid-19 management. However, the data prepared by the IMA shows, at least 382 doctors have died in the pandemic due to Covid-19.
IMA also commends to the Central government that they seek such data from the representatives of nurses and other healthcare workers.
“If the Government doesn’t maintain the statistics of a total number of doctors and healthcare workers infected by Covid-19 and the statistics of how many of them sacrificed their life due to the pandemic, it loses the moral authority to administer the Epidemic Act 1897 and the Disaster Management Act,” Dr Rajan Sharma, National President of IMA said.
Minister for State (Health) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in the Parliament said that public health and hospitals come understates and so the insurance compensation data is not available with the union government.
RED ALERT FOR #DOCTORS. pic.twitter.com/SuP8T7M3mh
— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) July 15, 2020
Reacting to the statement made by Choubey, Dr Sharma said, “This amounts to an abdication of duty and abandonment of the national heroes who have stood up for our people. IMA finds it strange that after having formulated an unfriendly partial insurance scheme for the bereaved families to struggle with the ignominy of the Government disowning them altogether stares at them.”
IMA has shared various suggestions and feedback to the health ministry during this national health emergency and seeks to meet the Prime Minister to share the concerns and cooperation.
YOU MAY LIKE TO READ: IMA Issues ‘Red Alert’ As 99 Doctors Succumb To COVID-19
Earlier, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the IMA requested him to ensure adequate care for doctors and their families who are a special risk group and extend the state-sponsored medical and life insurance facilities to doctors in all the sectors.
#IMA requests Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi Ji to consider the plea of treating our #doctors who have acted as warriors in the war of #COVID19 and lost lives at par with the martyrs of Indian Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/AjmGBTVnyE
— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) August 30, 2020
Dr R V Asokan, Secretary-General, IMA, said the mortality rate among doctors due to Covid-19 has reached an “alarming proposition” now.
YOU MAY LIKE TO READ: IMA Urges PM Modi To Acknowledge Casualties Among Doctors On The Frontline
“Saving each and every life of a doctor will ensure the safety of thousands of patients who depend on their care. Doctors who have died in the line of their professional duty merit favourable consideration for succour and solace to their families. It is thus pertinent for the IMA to also draw your attention to the demoralising effect to our healthcare community,” he added.