Government announces to give 100 per cent pension to medics who die in the line of duty

Doctors and paramedics shout slogans during a protest against the unavailability of safety equipment to handle coronavirus cases in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta on April 6, 2020. Image Credit: AFP/file

Dubai: Panic spread in hospitals as nearly 400 healthcare workers have contracted coronavirus in Pakistan, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

The report says that at least five medics including doctors have died due to COVID-19 in Pakistan. Providing a further breakdown, it records that 132 health care providers have been hospitalised, while 152 are isolated at home and 87 have recovered. Those who contracted the COVID-19 included 181 doctors and 55 nurses while rest of them are other hospital staff.

The daily situation report, generated by the WHO, with information gathered from the ministry of national health services, records 376 health care professionals who have fallen sick with the novel coronavirus.

Dr Osama Riaz, a young physician in Gilgit Baltistan, was the first doctor in the country who lost his life to the virus on March 23.

The total tally of confirmed cases in the country has risen to 14885 on Wednesday morning with 327 deaths and 3428 recoveries.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said Wednesday the government was worried about the frontline doctors and that those taking care of COVID-19 patients will be given the status of a martyr if they die while serving, Geo Tv reported.

“The [family of the] doctor who dies during service will be given a package equal to that of a martyr,” he said. “A package worth Rs3-10 million will be provided in addition to 100 per cent pension to their families, while their allotted houses will not be taken.”

Free food by Pakistan Army

Meanwhuke, Pakistan Army has distributed more than 350,000 ration packages to those affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the country, said Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR.

According to the ISPR statement issued on Wednesday, the army assistance packages were purchased through the contributions of the salary donation announced by DG ISPR last week. It added that the rations were distributed in various areas of Pakistan to daily wagers, physically challenged persons, labourers, widows and needy people and people residing in far-flung areas.

The initiative was part of the army’s efforts in assisting the civil administration in the containment of COVID-19 across the country.

Relief Tiger Force

The Corona Relief Tiger Force, put together upon Prime Minister’s orders, became operational from Wednesday to participate in relief activities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Usman Dar, Special Assistant to Prime Miniser on Youth Affairs, said that the ‘soft launch’ of the Tiger Force had been successful, adding that youth across the country will be mobilised in phases.

The youth force members will be deployed outside mosques and utility stores to help the government in relief activities, said Dar. The volunteers will cooperate with police and district administration while dispensing their duties to distribute relief goods and helping the poor.