Pregnant Doctor Dies From Coronavirus

A 28-year-old pregnant Algerian doctor, Wafa Boudissa, who died from the novel coronavirus after being denied maternity leave has caused a furor among medical personnel. 

Following the death of the doctor, the country's Minister of Health, Abderrahman Benbouzid, fired the director of the Ras El Oued hospital.

Wafa was eight months pregnant and worked at the Intensive Care unit of the hospital before her death on Friday.

According to reports, she had requested maternity leave from the unnamed hospital chief but her request was denied.

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The health minister has ordered an investigation into Wafa's death, directing the inspector general of the ministry of health to take lead in the investigations.

A source privy to the details of the case said that anyone who is found culpable in the death of Wafa will be charged for negligent homicide.

Benbouzid, in a broadcast, said that he could not grasp why a pregnant woman was made to work.

Algeria has a total of 6,821 confirmed coronavirus cases with 542 fatalities.