The Central government has taken a big decision due to the rising number of covid-19 cases. The Modi government has now extended the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for around 22 lakh healthcare providers for another 3 months till September.
It is to be noted that the scheme implemented by New India Assurance was slated to end on 30th June, according to the announcement made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as part of the Rs 1.70 lakh Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package in March.
Under the insurance scheme, a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to a total of around 22.12 lakh public healthcare providers, including community health workers, is provided who may have to be in direct contact and care of patients suffering from the infection & who may be at risk of being impacted by this.
Insurance Scheme for Health Workers
Insurance Scheme for health workers in government hospitals and healthcare centres which was operationalised with effect from March 30, 2020 has been extended up to September. The scheme is funded through the National Disaster Response Fund, operated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
It is to be noted that doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers and a few others working in hospitals under the central and state governments will be covered under it.
The Finance Minister has added, safai karamcharis, ward-boys, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, doctors and specialists and other health workers would be covered by the special insurance scheme.
"If any health professional, who while treating the covid-19 patients, meet with some accident, then he or she would be compensated with an amount of Rs 50 lakh under the scheme. All government health centres, wellness centres and hospitals of the Centre & states would be covered under the scheme, she said.
But, later the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in an FAQ clarified that private hospital staff treating COVID-19 patients will also be covered. "Private persons those who are engaged by both public and private health care institutions or organisation through an agency and were deployed or drafted for care & may have come in direct contact of the covid-19 patient (with the proof that the service of the agencies were engaged by the institution or organisation," said the FAQ.
