Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has said that the government's WeCare initiative is starting a mental health programme for doctors working on the front lines.

"We need to give moral, psychological, psycho-social support to doctors. It is a dangerous responsibility," he said.

"It has been proven globally that doctors working with patients in critical care have more chances of contracting infection than others. Therefore, it is important to give them moral support, to assure their families that someone is standing with them."

"Then there is anxiety, especially when you see your colleagues getting infected and some of them have died. However, the rate of infected healthcare workers in Pakistan is much less compared to other countries, not more than 3 per cent are affected here."

"Under WeCare, we are starting a mental health support programme for doctors today. It will start from Pims doctors in Islamabad. A helpline has already been established."