Kin of 19 Covid victim doctors awaiting benefit of Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme

PATNA: Altogether 19 doctors have died of Covid-19 in Bihar. Seven of them were working with the government hospitals or medical institutions.

But no dependant of any of the deceased doctors has so far got the benefit of the Centre’s much-publicized Rs50 lakh insurance scheme. Family members of the majority of the deceased doctors have not even applied for that due to lack of awareness. The dependants of some of the deceased doctors told TOI that they did not know whom to approach for getting the insurance benefits. Some of them said they had not even heard of any such scheme.

On March 26 this year, the Union government announced an insurance scheme to cover the frontline health workers fighting Covid-19. As per its main features, the dependant or next of kin will be provided Rs50 lakh in case of the death of any frontline health worker. Initially, the scheme was launched for only three months ending on June 30 this year.

It was part of the Rs1.70 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package announced by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 26. But as the Covid-19 cases continued to increase across the country even after June 30, the Centre, on the demand of several employees’ bodies, extended the scheme up to September 30 this year.

As per the scheme document, this accident insurance scheme covers loss of life due to Covid-19 and accidental death on account of Covid-related duty. About 22.12 lakh frontline health workers (including sanitation staff, paramedics and nurses, ASHAs and doctors are covered under the scheme.

“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, are covered under the scheme. Private hospital staff and retired/volunteer/local urban bodies/contracted/daily wage/ad hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by states/central hospitals/ autonomous hospitals of central/states/UTs, AIIMS and INIs/hospitals of central ministries can also be drafted for Covid-19 related responsibilities,” the scheme document reads.

When contacted, the president of Bihar chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr Bimal Kumar Karak, told TOI that none of the dependants of the deceased government doctors had so far received the benefit. The dependant of Samastipur civil surgeon Dr R R Jha, who died of Covid-19 on July 22, has not received any amount under the scheme so far. “The civil surgeon office at Samastipur has sent all the necessary papers to the state office of the health department for making a claim of Rs50 lakh under the scheme. But we are yet to hear anything from the authorities concerned,” the deceased civil surgeon’s son, Dr Saurabh Jha, told TOI on Monday.

IMA state secretary Dr Sunil Kumar said, “Family members of the deceased doctors are not aware whom to approach for making a claim under this scheme.”

Main features of insurance scheme:

· Rs50 lakh insurance scheme for about 22.12 lakh frontline health workers till September 30

· The scheme is being implemented by the New India Assurance

· The entire premium amount is being borne by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

· This accident insurance scheme covers loss of life due to Covid-19 and accidental death on account of Covid-related duty

· There is no age limit for this scheme