New Delhi: A total of 1,594 doctors across India have died while fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are the top four states leading in such casualties.
The latest data compiled by Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said that 155 doctors in Bihar have died during both the waves of the Covid-19 pandemic. As many as 40 doctors have died in the first wave till December last year whereas 115 died in the second wave to date.
"The second wave was more dangerous than the first wave resulting in the maximum casualty including doctors as well," said IMA secretary-general Dr Jayesh M Lele to ETV Bharat.
However, in a few states, casualty of doctors was less in the second wave than the first wave. The statistics said that Tamil Nadu has registered a total casualty of 154 doctors with 90 in the first wave and 64 in the second wave.
Similarly, Delhi witnessed 150 deaths with 128 in the first wave and 22 in the second wave. Uttar Pradesh registered 145 deaths of doctors to date out of which 66 were in the first wave and 79 in the second wave.
Also Read: Over 1000 doctors died of Covid-19 in India: IMA
"Almost all the states and UTs witnessed the death of doctors," said Dr Lele and added that Covid-19 has not gone from the society. "We all should adopt Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and maintain social distancing," said Dr Lele.
States like Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan which accounted for a maximum number of Covid-19 cases in the second wave, also witnessed the death of doctors. As per the statistics, 29 doctors died in Kerala in both the waves, followed by Maharashtra 99, West Bengal 144.
Manpower for vaccination drive
"In spite of such casualties doctors fraternity are always ready to provide service," said Dr Lele. He said that IMA has offered to the central government to provide manpower for vaccination.
"We are ready to provide manpower wherever required. As the government of India is taking all necessary steps to speed up the vaccination process, we are also ready to provide our helping hand in this direction," said Dr Lele.
As per Health Ministry statistics, India has administered 1,14,30,14,049 dosses with 75,88,14,793 first dose and 38,41,99,256 second dose till date.
Meanwhile, IMA has demanded the release of doctors and nurses who were arrested recently following fire incidents that took place at the Covid ICU in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra where 12 Covid patients died and seven others were injured.
The IMA said that doctors and nurses should not be treated as scapegoats for such incidents. "Instead of knee-jerk reactions, it is time for all stakeholders concerned to audit the safety norms on physical infrastructure, violence prevention, and ensure adequate funds for maintenance of equipment to ensure patients safety," the IMA said.
