Families of 921 Doctors, Health Workers who Died of Covid-19 paid 50 lakh each: Government

The families of 921 doctors and healthcare workers, who died of Covid-19, have been paid ₹50 lakh insurance each until July 15 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the government told Parliament on Tuesday.

“The scheme provides a comprehensive personal accident cover of ₹50 lakhs to healthcare providers, including community health workers and private health workers drafted by the Government for Covid-19 related responsibilities, who may have to be in direct contact and care of Covid-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by it,” said minister of state for health Bharati Pravin Pawar in Rajya Sabha.

The benefits of the scheme have been extended for 180 days with effect from April 24, 2021. Pawar said the government has taken several steps to improve the safety and wellbeing of medical officers and staff as it realized the criticality of human resources in dealing with the pandemic.