LUCKNOW: The meritorious students of King George’s Medical University (
KGMU) have demanded the status of martyr for doctors who lost their lives while performing duty while treating
novel coronavirus patients during the pandemic.
Some of the toppers also contracted infection while discharging their duty in Covid wards and said the experience was challenging and stressful, both physically and mentally.
Dr Suyash Dwivedi contracted coronavirus infection and tested positive in July but he still studied hard and bagged the
Psychiatry Alumni Gold Medal for being the best PG student in MD (psychiatry).
“Performing duty for over 12 hours wearing a PPE kit is very stressful. It causes dehydration due to excessive perspiration and there is constant fear of catching the infection. But doctors keep working to save patients’ lives. The effort is no less than that of a soldier fighting on the border. Hence doctors who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty should also be accorded the status of martyr as they deserve it,” said Dr Suyash, son of a retired banker and native of Kanpur Dr Priya Dixit, who will receive RP Bhadola Centenary Gold Medal for being the best MD resident in
anesthesia department, said she was devastated when Dr Sunil Agarwal, a 58-year-old government anesthesia doctor, got infected in the line of duty and died during treatment at KGMU. “I incubated him on ventilator support. Such doctors deserve martyr status,” she added.
Dr Shailendra Gautam, who has won the award of best ENT resident, served in Covid wards for 112 days. “Martyr status will be a mark of respect a nation can give to
corona warriors who made supreme sacrifice,” he said.
Winner of Dr Baljeet Bhatia Gold Medal for best student in MD ophthalmology, Dr Shailja Mishra, said: “The martyr status to such doctors or health workers would be a befitting respect to the bereaved families.” Similar view was expressed by Dr Rahul Tiwari, who is getting Dr Sabyya Sanchi Sarkar gold medal for topping in MD (radiodiagnosis) course.