KARACHI: Against the backdrop of two recent doctors’ deaths caused by Covid-19, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Tuesday called upon the government to make Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for health workers and ensure uninterrupted supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to all healthcare facilities.

“The PMA is very much concerned over the large number of deaths of doctors and paramedics due to Covid-19. So far, all over Pakistan 202 doctors and 30 paramedics have died due to the disease,” said Dr Qaiser Sajjad representing the association, adding that the government should take appropriate measures to protect all front-line soldiers.

He emphasised that all health workers needed to follow the preventive measures as per WHO guidelines while examining their patients and must get vaccinated against Covid-19 on priority basis.

Over 200 doctors have succumbed to Covid-19 across the country

“The PMA salutes the doctors who are serving the nation in this difficult time. They are on the frontline in the war as they examine their patients at the cost of their life and their families. There is an immediate need to take steps for the protection of doctors and paramedics.”

It may be recalled that Dr Khurrum Shehzad posted in Hyderabad as a medical officer and Dr Akbar Ghangro practicing in Khairpur died of Covid-19 a day earlier.

According to the PMA data, a total of 202 doctors have died of coronavirus in the country so far; 74 doctors in Punjab, 65 in Sindh, 53 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six in Balochistan, one in Gilgit-Baltistan and three in Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Of these doctors, 24 were medical officers, 19 general physicians, 13 paediatricians, 11 anaesthetists, 10 were at administrative posts, nine were professors of medicine, nine were ENT specialists, seven gynaecologists, six pathologists, six psychiatrists, four orthopaedics, four pulmonologists, four dentists, three ophthalmologists, three postgraduate trainees, three radiologists, two surgeons and two were cardiologists.

“The government should collect data of the aggrieved families for their welfare and provide them employment opportunities in the government sector. It should also immediately implement the announced Shuhada package,” said Dr Sajjad, adding that all doctors should be treated as front-line soldiers.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2021