Kerala remembers sacrifices of nurses, CM describes Lini as martyr

(Eds: Adds Vijayan's quotes) Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 7 () Remembering sacrifices ofnurses from Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan describedas "martyr" Lini Puthussery, who died after contracting Nipahvirus from a patient in 2018. "Malayalee nurses in various parts of the world are facingdifficulties and their concerns are disturbing us.In our battle against Nipah, Lini was a Martyr", he said. Vijayan also had a word of praise for nurses ReshmaMohandas, infected with coronavirus while taking care of twoelderly patients in Kottayam and had recovered, and PapaHenry, who was prepared to go to any district to take of thepeople affected by the virus.

Reshma has vowed to work again in the corona care wardwithout any hesitation after her home quarantine was over.

Lini had died after contracting Nipah from a patient shetook care of at a Perambra hospital in Kozhikode distric in2018.

Nipah had claimed 17 lives in the state.

The recovery of the two elderly COVID-19 couple,including the country's oldest -- 93-year old Thomas Abraham,in Kottayam was a big achievement for the state's healthsector, he said.

On the occasion of World Health Day, the CM expressed hisappreciation for the service and sacrifice of all theMalayalee nurses serving all over the world.

He voiced the government's concern regarding welfare ofnurses across the world who are involved in COVID-19 care. "We have a responsibility to care for them and we have ourapprehensions about them," Vijayan told reporters here.

The Chief Minister has already informed Prime Minister,Narendra Modi about the plight of over 50 nurses in hospitalsin Mumbai and Delhi who are affected by the virus.

Earlier in a tweet, he said: "Kerala is one of theworld's largest contributors to the talent pool of nurses. Theworld comes to know our State through their work. On#WorldHealthDay the State expresses its profound gratitude tonurses & midwives for their sacrifices & contributions. We areproud of you." UDVS VS