Pakistan govt urged to compensate Dr Usama Riaz’s family

Usama Riaz passed away after contracting COVID-19 on duty

ABBOTTABAD: The Peoples Doctors Forum (PDF) has demanded that the family of Dr Usama Riaz ho died from coronavirus (Covid-19) in Gilgit-Baltisitan (G-B) should be compensated.

Dr Riaz contracted the virus while he was screening people returning to G-B from abroad and other parts of the country had tested positive for the virus. He was the first doctor in the country to die from coronavirus.

The PDF General Secretary Daud Iqbal briefing media on Saturday urged the government to provide financial relief to his family and include him in the martyrs’ package.

Dr Iqbal said the move would encourage doctors and other healthcare providers for fulfilling their duties with dedication and will also help the family of the deceased Dr Osama.

He said Dr Osama’s sacrifice has been acknowledged across the world.

Senior US diplomat Alice Wells had also lauded the bravery of Dr Osama, and other healthcare workers risking their lives in the fight against coronavirus pandemic, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2020.