KARACHI: Dr Samra Ali, a senior gynaecologist at the Wah International Hospital, Taxila, died of Covid-19 on Sunday.

Her funeral prayers were offered in Sukkur on Monday where she resided.

It’s the second death of a lady doctor from coronavirus in a day.

Flight Lieutenant Dr Mahnoor Farzand breathed her last at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Malir Cantonment, where she remained under treatment for Covid-19 for a week.

According to the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), both lady doctors were pregnant and not vaccinated against coronavirus.

The total number of doctors lost to Covid-19 in the country now stands at 221.

A Dow Medical College graduate, Dr Ali did her FCPS (Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons) in gynaecology from the Aga Khan University in 2012.

She stayed for some years in Saudi Arabia and later joined Wah International Hospital Taxila.

“I am at a loss of words to share my sentiments. There is an urgent need to create awareness and educate women especially lady doctors that Covid vaccines are safe for pregnant women and nursing mothers,” said Dr Qaiser Sajjad of the PMA.

He added that Dr Ali was a dedicated, energetic health professional. “She has left behind two sons and a daughter. Her husband is an anaesthetist.”

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, although the overall risk of severe illness is low, pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19 when compared with non-pregnant people.

Severe illness includes illness that requires hospitalisation, intensive care, need for a ventilator or special equipment to breathe, or illness that results in death. Additionally, pregnant people with Covid-19 are at increased risk of preterm birth and might be at increased risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes, compared with pregnant women without Covid-19.

The CDC recommends Covid-19 vaccination for all people aged 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2021