Indian doctors serving under difficult conditions in Kabul: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that the death of medical personnel in the Kabul blast defined the risks Indian medical teams have to face while serving in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that the death of medical personnel in the Kabul blast defined the risks Indian medical teams have to face while serving in Afghanistan.

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"The medical fraternity in our country has been serving our people under very difficult conditions with great distinction," Singh said inaugurating the annual meeting of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons here.

"...My thought goes to those members of the Indian Medical Mission in Kabul who, while serving the people of Afghanistan, particularly the women and children, used to visit Indira Gandhi Hospital there, perished in the terror attack yesterday," he said.

The Prime Minister said the incident shows the measure of uncertainty that Indian doctors work under and pointed out the risks faced by them while serving the people of Afghanistan.

"It is a measure of the commitment to relief of human suffering that the medical fraternity is known for all over the world," he said.

Taliban carried out coordinated suicide attacks at two hotels in Kabul killing up to nine Indians.

Singh said Indians were very proud of the reputation their doctors have earned both in the country and in every part of the world.

"I am one of those who has personally benefited enormously from the expertise and skills of our doctors, especially cardio-thoracic surgeons".