NHM doctor from Sumbal deputed on COVID duty catches virus, dies

Srinagar, Jammu: A 45-year-old National Health Mission (NHM) doctor from Sumbal area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has died due to the deadly COVID-19 at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Srinagar on Tuesday morning.
An official said the deceased doctor has got infected when he was fighting pandemic in Gurez valley where he is currently posted. The deceased was working as Medical Officer under NHM.
The official said that the deceased doctor was tested positive on July 04 and recovered after one week.
However, last night, the doctor developed symptoms, hemoptysis with sudden fall in oxygen saturation following which he was taken to SKIMS hospital Srinagar where his sample was collected again for COVID testing. He said the doctor was shifted to SMHS hospital for treatment where he breathed his last today morning, adding that the doctor was declared positive after his death.
The official said that the deceased doctor was deputed on contact tracing of COVID-19 patients in Gurez, a remote belt of Bandipora.
According to the locals, the deceased doctor is survived by two minor children and his wife, who is also a medical officer.
The doctor’s death has saddened the entire health officials in Bandipora district.
Meanwhile, All J&K National Health Mission Employees Association Kashmir Division has condoled the demise of Dr Shabir Ahmad Medical Officer (NHM) CHC Gurez District Bandipora due to COVID-19
In a statement, the Association office bearers expressed heartfelt grief over the demise of the doctor who was working as Medical Officer under NHM in district Bandipora and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
The Association has also expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, the Association has appealed the Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu and Advisor to LG Rajiv Rai Batnagar to extend helping hand to the bereaved family by providing a job and financial assistance to the Next of Kin.
They also reiterated the need for social security benefits to NHM employees in wake of such eventualities