Indian medical association says 515 doctors die in fighting COVID-19

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), an association of doctors in India, said Friday over 500 doctors have died in the line of duty during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic across the country.

   "The IMA dedicates the sacrifice of 515 Indian doctors in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic to the nation. We salute these martyrs. We salute all the nurses and the healthcare workers who sacrificed their lives as well," IMA wrote on social media.

   The association has put up a list of deceased doctors along with their photographs on social media, describing them as "COVID martyrs."

   According to Dr Rajan Sharma, president of the IMA, majority of doctors (201) who died were in the age group of 60 and 70 years, followed by 171 killed in the age group of 50 to 60 years. Above 70 years of age were 66 doctors who lost their lives, and 59 doctors were between 35 and 50 years of age. At least 18 doctors who died were less than 35 years of age.

   India continues to be in the grip of COVID-19 pandemic.

   On Friday morning 81,484 new COVID-19 cases and 1,095 related deaths were recorded in the country during the past 24 hours, pushing the country's COVID-19 tally to 6,394,068 including 99,773 deaths.

   Globally India is the second worst-hit country due to the pandemic after the United States.