India has lost 196 doctors to Covid-19

A total of 196 doctors in India, majority of them being general practitioners, have succumbed to coronavirus so far, said the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday, requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s for his attention on the issue.The data collected by IMA reveals that a significant proportion of the population consults general practitioner due to fever and its related symptoms which is why they remain the first point of contact as well as care.

“As per the latest data collected by the IMA, our nation has lost 196 doctors, out of which 170 of them are above the age of 50 years, with general practitioners attributing to around 40 per cent of it,” the IMA said expressing concerns over the safety of doctors losing their lives in the fight against the Covid-19 crisis.The IMA said that around 86 per cent of the doctors were in the vulnerable age category as 170 of the 196 doctors were above the age of 50.

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.

“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.