The government of Pakistan has announced that the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (posthumously) will be awarded to 81 doctors from Punjab, 87 from Sindh, 23 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 8 from Balochistan, 4 from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and one each from Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad. This national award is intended to honor and recognize the healthcare professionals who lost their lives while bravely fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the doctors, 59 nurses and frontline health workers from all over Pakistan will also be bestowed with this honor. These individuals demonstrated extraordinary dedication and selflessness in saving lives without considering their personal safety during this challenging time.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his heartfelt gratitude and paid tribute to the doctors and frontline health workers for their fearless service during the COVID-19 crisis. He acknowledged that these brave individuals sacrificed their lives while fulfilling their responsibilities towards the nation.
The prime minister stated, “The entire nation will forever remain indebted to these dutiful doctors and frontline health workers who laid down their lives. We also salute their families, as they are a source of pride for our nation.”
Earlier in 2021, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) reported that over 200 doctors and 30 paramedics had succumbed to the virus. Out of these, 81 doctors were from Punjab and 87 were from Sindh.