Amnesty: At least 17,000 health workers die from COVID-19 over the last year

The organizations called for urgent action to speed up the vaccination of millions of frontline health workers around the world. 

“For one health worker to die from COVID-19 every 30 minutes is both a tragedy and an injustice. Health workers all over the world have put their lives on the line to try and keep people safe from COVID-19, yet far too many have been left unprotected and paid the ultimate price,” said Steve Cockburn, Head of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty International.

“Governments must ensure all health workers, everywhere, are protected from COVID-19. Having risked their lives throughout the pandemic, it’s time they were prioritized for life-saving vaccines. Urgent action must be taken to close the huge global inequalities in vaccine access, so a community health worker in Peru is protected as much as a doctor in the UK.”

The organizations analyzed available data published by governments, unions, media, and civil society organizations in over 70 countries.

However, these figures are likely to be a significant underestimate, given that many governments have not collected official data, or have done so only partially. (ILKHA)