New Delhi: Just when India crossed 1.5 crore COVID cases, the Centre has decided to withdraw the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana insurance policy that covers the healthcare workers who lose their lives while on COVID-19 duty as the policy would expire on April 24.
Though the
Health Ministry has said that discussions are on with insurance companies to come up with another policy for the healthcare workers, but many are concerned about the fact that if the government is unable to finalise the new policy by April 24, then will the healthcare workers taking care of COVID patients be left without any cover.
The health ministry said that the issue would be sorted out soon and a fresh insurance policy for
COVID warriors will become effective.
"The claims under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana will be settled by the insurance company till the 24th of April 2021," the Union Health Ministry said in a tweet.
According to an official statement, the insurance cover that expires on April 24 was to cover around 22 lakh health workers during the country's fight against the pandemic. The insurance policy would cover safai karamcharis, ward-boys, nurses,
ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, doctors and specialists and other health workers would be covered.
The scheme was launched to provide a safety net for healthcare workers and ensure that their families get some financial help in case any health worker dies while on COVID duty.
The health ministry sent out a circular last month saying that the insurance scheme concluded on March 24, only 287 claims have been received so far. It was once again extended till April 24, 2021.
"The PMGKP insurance scheme for the healthcare workers fighting Covid-19 was implemented with effect from 30 March 2020, initially for a period of 90 days to provide an insurance cover of Rs. 50 lakh to the healthcare workers fighting the pandemic, the duration of the scheme was extended up to 24 March 2021," stated the letter.