Govt Extends Insurance Scheme For Health Workers By 3 Months

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the government has extended the Rs 50 lakh insurance cover announced for about 22 lakh healthcare providers earlier in March as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package. The scheme implemented by New India Assurance that was scheduled to end on 30 June, has been extended for another three months till September.

The insurance provides a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of patients suffering from coronavirus infection and who may be at risk of being impacted by the exposure.

The Insurance Scheme for health workers in government hospitals and healthcare centres operationalised with effect from 30 March 2020, an official statement said, adding the scheme has been extended up to September.

The scheme is funded through the National Disaster Response Fund, operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers and a few others working in hospitals under the central and state governments will be covered under the insurance scheme.

"Any health professional, who while treating COVID-19 patients, meet with some accident, then he/she would be compensated with an amount of Rs 50 lakh under the scheme," she had said.

All government health centres, wellness centres and hospitals of the Centre, as well as states, would be covered under this scheme, she had said.

However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare later in an FAQ clarified that private staff treating engaged by both public & private health care institutions/organisation through an agency for treatment of COVID-19 patients will also be covered under the scheme.