Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has said that health professionals who lost their lives in the fight against COVID-19 will be declared martyrs.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Mirza said that a relief package on a par with the martyrs of the armed forces would be given to the families of the deceased health professionals. He maintained that 100 percent pension, government house and a compensation cheque of up to Rs10 million will be given to the families of the martyred health professionals.

Protection of lives of health professionals is the top priority of the government, the special assistant said, adding that the government has taken several steps to ensure provision of personal protection equipment kits to doctors and health workers besides their training.

Mirza said a comprehensive strategy has been developed for hospitals to provide treatment to corona patients.

Earlier on April 10, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said the entire nation stood by health workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Talking to medics during his visit to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, the prime minister had said that coronavirus cases would increase across the world, including Pakistan, in the coming days, adding that spike in coronavirus cases would also increase pressure on doctors. He had assured doctors and other healthcare workers of provision of protective equipment in the fight against coronavirus.