The number of doctors, particularly general medical practitioners, succumbing to Covid-19 is on the rise. Flagging this concern, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has drawn the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointing out that due to the absence of timely medical facilities like proper beds and treatment after getting infected nearly 200 medical professionals across the country have lost their lives.
In a letter to Modi on Saturday, the association said that such incidents would create a demoralising effect on the healthcare community, who are also at the frontline of the corona war.
“Disturbing reports have appeared about doctors and their families not getting beds for admission and also lack of drugs in many cases. It is pertinent to draw your attention to the demoralising effect it will have on our healthcare community,” IMA President Dr Rajan Sharma, National President said in the letter.
The IMA has demanded adequate care for doctors and their families. “We need his (PM) attention and indulgence because of the rising concerns of the safety of doctors during this COVID-19, crisis. An increasing number of doctors are getting infected and losing lives due to COVID-19,” added RV Asokan, secretary-general of IMA.
Besides, the association also demanded the extension of state-sponsored medical and life insurance facilities for doctors in all sectors.
As per the IMA, 40 per cent of the doctors who succumbed to the pandemic are general practitioners who work in private sectors or independently. “It is pertinent to mention Covid-19 does not differentiate between the Government and the private sector.
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 consult general practitioners due to fever and its related symptoms, they remain the first point of contact as well as care, the doctors’ body.
“Of all the fatalities we recorded, the substantial number of them are General Practitioners. A significant proportion of the population consults them for fever and related symptoms. They remain the first point of contact and care. They also happen to spend quality time in consultation and practising clinical medicine,” Asokan said.
The IMA also said that the highest number of casualties was recorded from Tamil Nadu, where 43 doctors died due to the Coronavirus, followed by Maharashtra and Gujarat which recorded 23 deaths each.
Dr Vijay Gurjar, Assistant Professor in department of Geriatric Medicine, AIIMS, Delhi said that it is disturbing that while the Delhi Government is ready to dole out Rs 1 crore to the families of the deceased doctors, but it can’t ensure adequate medical facilities and treatment fees to save the life of the Covid-infected doctors who are at the forefront of the war against the pandemic. “It is very demoralising,” he added.