Over 1000 doctors succumbs to COVID-19 in India since the pandemic begins

GUWAHATI: Since the pandemic hit the world, over 1000 doctors have lost their lives fighting the battle against the deadly novel Coronavirus infection.

According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), as many as 269 doctors had died of COVID-19 in the second wave of the pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on the country for the past two months, meanwhile, around 748 doctors died in the first wave alone.

However, the real figures may be higher, according to the IMA, because the doctors' association only keeps records of its 3.5 lakh members.

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In the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bihar alone recorded 78 deaths of doctors due to the infection, the highest number of doctor casualties, while 37 doctors died in Uttar Pradesh.

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 28 doctors in Delhi, which was hit hard by the second wave, and Andhra Pradesh (22).

"The second wave of the pandemic is proving to be extremely lethal for all, particularly the frontline healthcare staff," says IMA president Dr. J A Jayalal.

Around 66 percent of India's total healthcare workers have been completely vaccinated till date.

Meanwhile, prime minister Narendra Modi yesterday said that the vaccines have assured the safety of the majority of doctors since 90% of them have already received the first dose.

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