IMA urges PM to intervene to stop doctors’ deaths

New Delhi: As many as 196 doctors in the country, majority of them being general practitioners, have succumbed to Covid-19 so far, Indian Medical Association said on Saturday and requested PM Narendra Modi for his attention on the issue.

“As per the data collected by IMA, our nation has lost 196 doctors, of whom 170 were above the age of 50 years, with general practitioners attributing around 40% of them,” IMA said expressing concerns over doctors losing their lives in the fight against the Covid-19 crisis.

In Delhi, 12 doctors have died due to Covid-19, the association added. 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. Since a significant proportion of the population consults general practitioners due to fever and its related symptoms, they remain the first point of contact as well as care, the doctors’ body said.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the IMA requested Modi to ensure adequate care for doctors and their families who are a special risk group and to extend the state-sponsored medical and life insurance facilities to doctors in all the sectors.

“IMA represents over 3.5 lakh doctors spread across the country providing next-door affordable healthcare, it is pertinent to mention that Covid-19 does not differentiate between government and private sectors and affects all .”

“Further disturbing are the reports that state that the doctors and their family members are not getting beds for admission and deficiency of drugs in most of the cases. The IMA thus requests the government of India to provide adequate attention for the safety and welfare of doctors during the pandemic,” said Dr Rajan Sharma, national president, IMA.

Dr RV Asokan, secretary general, IMA, said the mortality rate among doctors due to Covid-19 has reached an “alarming proposition” now.