KARACHI: Doctors’ representative bodies have recently expressed concerns over the government for not recognising the efforts of the country’s healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pakistan Civil Awards announced recently.
Earlier, the civil awards for 126 people, including foreign nationals, were announced by the president.
From the health sector, only Dr Shehla Baqi (from Karachi) and Dr Mohammad Haroon Memon ( a medical doctor from Sindh) were recognised in social work.
“We are shocked over the government’s indifferent attitude towards healthcare workers while conferring civil awards despite their peerless services during the deadly Covid-19 pandemic,” said the Pakistan Medical Association ( PMA) statement.
“They have put their lives at risk. Their families remain at risk. So far, 221 doctors have attained martyrdom due to Covid-19; Punjab 78, Sindh 77, KP 56, Balochistan 6, Gilgit-Baltistan 1, Azad Jammu & Kashmir 3. Thirty-one paramedics have attained martyrdom due to Covid-19,” it said.
The association called upon the government to recognise the Covid-19 heroes still fighting the war and immediately announce civil awards for the medical fraternity.
It also complained that the government had not offered any financial support to the families of doctors and paramedics who lost their lives to Covid-19.
“Leading figures from all walks of life have been honoured with the civil award with some 18 personalities from showbiz. But martyred doctors, nurses and paramedics have been completely ignored.
“Unfortunately, this has happened at a time when a doctor is holding the post of president,” said a Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) statement.
