AI expresses concern as 5,367 health workers contract Covid-19.

ISLAMABAD -- The Amnesty International Wednesday expressed concern over the increasing number of health workers in Pakistan affected by the coronavirus.

In an open letter to Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza, Head of Amnesty Internationals South Asia Office Omar Waraich wrote, 'As of 29 June 2020, official figures record at least 5,367 health workers across Pakistan being infected with Covid-19, with 58 dead as a result. This is a devastating tally.

Waraich said that doctors, nurses, paramedics, ambulance drivers and other medical staff continue to help people in the face of such imminent danger to their lives underscores their courage. 'It also highlights how much they deserve not only our gratitude but also the states protection, he added.

The human rights watchdog reminded the SAPM that health workers are particularly vulnerable to the virus as they are consistently and repeatedly exposed to it.

The human rights watchdog also raised concerns regarding 'several instances of violence against health workers across Pakistan since April.

'Hospitals have been vandalized, many doctors have been attacked, and one was even shot by a member of the Counter Terrorism Force, said Amnesty.

In the letter, it also added the Young Doctors Association comment claiming that health workers are being attacked on a daily basis and that the exact number of such incidents were 'beyond count.

Waraich added that ministers have issued several statements claiming that hospitals have the necessary resources, despite reports that hospitals have been forced to turn away even critical patients, given the shortage of beds, ventilators and other life-saving...