Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana: Insurance Scheme Announced for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19

Amid the nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of global pandemic across Indian states, the Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has initiated  Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore relief package on Thursday under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana for the poor to help them fight the battle against Coronavirus. Recently, the centre has decided to include an insurance scheme under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana for the Health Workers who are rigorously working and fighting against COVID-19 to save our nation.

Keeping in mind the condition of daily wager, farmers and worker’s condition amid the nationwide lockdown, the government has decided to allow relief packages to the poor. 

‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19’ has been approved with the following conditions:

1. It will provide an insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh for ninety (90) days 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 COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this. It will also include accidental loss of life on account of contracting COVID-19;

2. On account of the unprecedented situation, private hospital staff/ retired/volunteer/ local urban bodies/contract/daily wage/ ad-hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Central hospitals/autonomous hospitals of Central/States/UTs, AIIMS & INIs/ hospitals of Central Ministries can also be drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities. These cases will also be covered subject to numbers indicated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare;

3. The insurance provided under this scheme would be over and above any other insurance cover being availed of by the beneficiary.