Covid has killed 40 doctors in MP, kin of only 1 got Rs 50 lakh insurance

INDORE: Despite claims by the authorities of support to the medical fraternity, the family of only one of 40 doctors who have died of Covid-19 in the state has received the Rs 50 lakh insurance.

Only eight applications have been sent so far to the Union government for sanction of Rs 50 lakh insurance, seven of which are stuck in paperwork, sources tell TOI. Clearance from district collectors is one of the major hurdles. Insurance companies have cleared papers of only one family.

Dr Sanjay Londhe, vicepresident of Indian Medical Association’s MP chapter, confirmed the 1/40 figure and said, “Only the family of former HoD of respiratory medicine of Index Medical College, who died around two months back, has got the insurance money. The rest are waiting.”

Asked about this, ACShealth and health commissioner passed the buck to other officials. ACS-health Mohammad Suleman said, “Please check with the commissioner.” When health commissioner Dr Sanjay Goel was asked about it, he said, “I don’t believe there is any neglect by the government. The family members may not have claimed the insurance.”

Only 8 applications sent to Union govt

The insurance money is reimbursed only on claim, he said, remarking that the Union government scheme is “like any other health scheme”.

When told that insurance payout has been cleared for only one of the 40 doctors killed by Covid, Goel said: “I don’t believe this is the case.” He refused to disclose figures, saying, “I am not dealing with this issue. NHM officials are handling it.”

National Health Mission director Chhavi Bharadwaj said, “NHM has received only eight case files so far and these are sent to the Union government. The family of one of them has received the insurance amount.”

The other seven files are stuck with the general insurance companies for payment because of issues like absence of certain documents and complete details of family members, and papers to ascertain whether the doctor was working with Covid-19 patients, said Bharadwaj.

“We are in regular contact with the company for early disbursement in these seven cases,” she said. When pointed out that one in 40 is a poor delivery rate, she said: “There is a process in this scheme, where collectors send the files with requisite documents to NHM, which in turn sends them to insurance companies for reimbursement. The files of the other cases haven’t been received yet.” In March, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced Rs 50 lakh medical insurance cover for health workers engaged in the battle against Covid.

Source: The Times of India

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