A CALL to declare a Bahraini paramedic who died from Covid-19 complications in June a ‘martyr’ went out from MPs yesterday.
They want 47-year-old Covid-19 frontliner Isa Ashoor Madan, who was mourned by the Health Ministry at the time of his death, to be listed as a national hero, alongside police and military officers who have died in the line of duty.
The move was made as MPs debated 70 government replies on Parliamentary proposals, including an initiative to give special treatment and rates for government services to families of martyrs.
MP Dr Masooma Abdulrahim said a martyr is someone who sacrifices his life to serve others.
“Why is a paramedic, who put his soul on the line every day since the outbreak of the coronavirus last year and subsequently lost his life, being left out?” she added.
“It is the least this ‘white angel’ deserves. When I spoke with his family, they didn’t want money, all they wanted was recognition with the ‘martyr’ title bestowed upon their family head.”
Her sentiments were echoed by MP Zainab Abdulamir. “Mr Madan, a frontliner from Malkiya , died in the line of duty,” he added.
Malkiya MP Mahmood Al Bahrani added that Mr Madan had left a widow and children with no source of income, adding that with formal recognition the family would receive financial support from the Royal Martyrs of Duty Fund. He has made a plea to His Majesty King Hamad to grant the acknowledgement.
Bahrain celebrates Martyrs Day and honours them on December 17.
Mohammed@gdn.com.bh