A friend in need is the friend indeed. But today one should change it a little bit to be more relevant by saying – “a doctor in need is a doctor indeed”. Because the doctors are our most wanted friends in the time of crisis. They are the ones who could save us from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, doctors, who are putting their lives at risk and treating coronavirus patients, have not been spared by the COVID-19.
In heartbreaking news, a 42-year-old contractual doctor, who was working with Delhi government’s National Health Mission, has lost his life due to coronavirus. Dr. Javed Ali developed symptoms and later tested positive for coronavirus on June 24. After which, he was hospitalised for treatment over the next three weeks.
It has been learnt that Dr Ali never missed a day on duty until COVID-19 struck him and took him away yesterday morning. For the last 10 days, he was on a ventilator. Yesterday morning, Dr Ali breathed his last at the AIIMS trauma centre. He is survived by his wife and two children – a six-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter.
The family has demanded compensation as Delhi government had earlier declared a compensation of Rs 1 crore for health worker’s families if they die while dealing with coronavirus cases.
Doctors and health-care workers are also putting their lives at risk and treating coronavirus patients. Dr Ali’s wife Dr Heena Kausar said, “I am proud of my husband. He kept working till the end and he is a martyr. He did not take even one day off since March. He worked even on Eid”.
The cost for the initial treatment at the private hospital was also borne by the family. “No treatment cost was covered when he was at a private hospital initially. We spent around Rs 6 lakh from our own pockets,” she said.
“How will I survive as a single mother? It is my humble request to the government that they should provide compensation and my husband’s job should now be given to me,” Dr Heena Kausar added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her grief over the death of Dr Ali. Taking to twitter, Priyanka said, “Dr. Javed Ali and all the doctors offer their services during this crisis by betting on their lives. He was serving on contract.”
We must salute this doctor who never took even one day off and sacrificed his life for saving others. He did his best to save several patients without caring about his life. Hats off to him!
