17 physicians die, 1,016 infected with Covid-19: FDSR

Doctors continue to come in harm's way when treating Covid-19 patients, owing to the lack of proper protective gears.

Seventeen physicians have died of Covid-19, while 1,016 doctors have been infected with the virus across the country, said Foundation for Doctors Safety Rights and Responsibilities Joint Secretary Dr Rahat Anwar Chowdhury.

The heightened risk for health workers was also underscored by acclaimed medicine specialist and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's personal physician Dr ABM Abdullah. He said doctors are at high risk of coming into contact with the virus in their line of work.

Stressing on the need for providing proper protective gears to doctors, nurses and healthcare officials, Dr Abdullah said if the number of doctors infected with coronavirus continued to rise, the country's situation would worsen.

He urged doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals to remain vigilant when treating patients.