Expressing shock at the Central government stating in Rajya Sabha that 162 doctors died due to coronavirus in the country, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday, claiming the toll to be much higher, appealed that a high-power committee be constituted by the government to do a thorough study of the entire data of deceased doctors, and that all those who had succumbed to the virus shall be honoured.

Minister of State (MoS) for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey had on Tuesday informed the Upper House of Parliament that so far 162 doctors, 107 nurses and 44 ASHA workers in the country have lost their lives to the Covid-19 virus.

IMA president J A Jayalal, in a letter to Choubey, stated that the Centre's figures were contrary to the data released by the medical body, according to which 734 doctors lost their lives due to the disease, of which, 431 were general practitioners, news agency PTI reported.

The letter also stated that 25 doctors who died were below the age of 35.

Jayalal, in his letter, also mentioned that doctors suffer a higher viral load and Case Fatality Ratio as a community.

"They still choose to serve the nation in best traditions of the medical profession. The Government of India failed to acknowledge this fact and give due significance and recognition," PTI quoted lines from the letter.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also condemned the "apathy" of the government in verifying the data and "delaying disbursement of solatium for Covid-19 martyrs' families".

"We are writing to you at this juncture to appropriately endorse the hard work and contribution by our doctors in flattening the COVID curve in India. We fervently appeal to you to expedite the process of giving solatium to families at the earliest possible time.

Story Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/doctor-deaths-covid19-coronavirus-ima-government-toll-1765681-2021-02-03