According to the updated list by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), more than 515 doctors have succumbed to Covid-19 during the current crisis in the country and that this number is increasing daily. The IMA database also says that the doctor-patient ratio is 1:94. As per the report, the majority of the doctors, at 201, were in the age group of 60-70 years, 66 doctors were above 70 years of age, 171 were in the age bracket of 50-60 years, 59 doctors between the age of 35-50 years, and 18 doctors were less than 35 years of age.
“IMA dedicates the sacrifice of 515 Indian doctors in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic to the nation. We salute these martyrs. We salute all the nurses and the healthcare workers who sacrificed their lives as well,” the IMA tweeted. According to the association, the mortality rate among doctors and health caregivers is nine times more than the general population.
“Families of healthcare workers are also at risk. Unfortunately, the government has no data on deceased doctors and healthcare workers. The number of deaths is much more than the published data. India should care for its healthcare workers,” said Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, former president of the IMA.