594 doctors have lost their lives during COVID-19 second wave: IMA

New Delhi: As many as 594 doctors have died due to COVID-19 in the ongoing and devastating second wave of the pandemic, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has revealed. Delhi has recorded the maximum number of fatalities with 107 deaths in the second sweep of the virus.

Delhi recorded 107 deaths in the second wave, followed by Bihar 96, Uttar Pradesh 67, Rajasthan 43, Jharkhand 39 and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana 32 each, according to data compiled at the IMA's COVID-19 registry. 

12 states/UTs had the death toll in single digits.

According to the IMA's registry, 748 doctors had died of the infection across the country in the first wave of the pandemic.

Earlier this week, the Centre had announced a new system of processing the insurance claims under the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) — Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19'.

The Health Ministry noted that claims would be certified by the District Collector and will be settled in 48 hours after approval.

The move follows several States raising the matter of processing delays in insurance claims. "This latest order is aimed at cutting down delays and to further streamline and simplify the processing of the insurance claims," said the Ministry.