Srinagar: From long working hours to tiresome schedule in Covid-19 wards, doctors in Kashmir have sacrificed a lot to lead the fight against Coronavirus. Three doctors have died in line of duty while 544 tested positive for viral respiratory illness.
The service rendered by the doctors is recognized by all. On Doctors’ Day the social media was flooded by messages hailing the services of the doctors in leading the fight against the Covid second wave which saw high positivity rate.
The services rendered by the doctors in J&K were also acknowledged by the Indian Medical Association which on July 1 felicitated five doctors from Jammu and Kashmir as Covid warriors.
Doctors’ Day is celebrated on 1st July every year nationally commemorating the birth and death anniversary of Dr. BC Roy, Bharat Ratna, ex-Chief Minister West Bengal.
The Indian Medical Association national president during a function announced the names of the IMA COVID warriors across the country. The Covid warrior doctors from Jammu and Kashmir felicitated for excellent performance include Prof. (Dr.) A. G. Ahangar, Director SKIMS, Srinagar; Prof. (Dr.) Samia Rashid, Principal/ Dean, Government Medical College Srinagar; Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Kundal, Professor and HOD, General Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu; Prof. (Dr.) S. Mohammad Saleem Khan, Professor and HOD Community Medicine/ Nodal Officer COVID-19, Government Medical College, Srinagar; and Dr. Shafa Deva, Medical Superintendent, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, Srinagar.
J&K IMA leaders and members have congratulated all five members of IMA JK for getting these awards.
Three doctors have died in J&K while 544 medicos have contracted Covid19 in line of duty in Kashmir till June 29 since the outbreak of pandemic, Health Department data shows.
Srinagar district where all major tertiary care hospitals are situated has witnessed the highest number of positive healthcare workers, a senior health department official said.
As per the official figures accessed by the Greater Kashmir, total 1413 healthcare workers tested positive for Covid-19 infection in line of their duty, of which 544 are doctors working in various healthcare institutions and 869 paramedics.
The healthcare workers too have faced the wrath of the deadly disease, though despite odds they have been leading the fight against the virus.
A senior health department official said that they are most vulnerable as they deal with the Covid-19 patients on a day to day basis. “It not only puts their life at risk but their family members too are having high chances of catching the infection.”