IMA Tells Modi: Declare Doctors Who Died Due To Pandemic As COVID Martyrs

New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare doctors who have lost their lives while performing their duty amid the COVID-19 pandemic as ‘COVID martyrs’.

“The doctors who have lost their lives in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic ought to be recognised as COVID Martyrs with due acknowledgement of this sacrifice,” the IMA wrote to the Prime Minister.

Thanking the PM for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana scheme, under which insurance benefits have been extended to doctors’ families, IMA pointed out that families of just over 20% of the doctors who died last year have been able to apply under the scheme so far.

According to IMA’s data, 752 doctors passed away during the first wave of COVID-19, while 646 have died in the more virulent second wave thus far.

The IMA requested Modi to ensure that an effective mechanism was created so that all affected families received the benefit.

“Their families ought to be duly supported by the government,” the IMA added.

Last year, too, IMA had called for deceased doctors to be recognized as COVID martyrs, but this time they have approached the PM with that demand.

The IMA also demanded that any person who spreads misinformation against the vaccination drive must be booked and punished in accordance with law.

In an obvious reference to yoga guru Ramdev, the IMA reiterated that any attempt by any person to fool people and promote so-called “magic remedies” or “wonder drugs” without approval of the Union Health Ministry ought to be immediately curtailed.