Centre urged to extend insurance scheme for healthcare workers

VILLUPURAM: The call to extend the Union government's insurance scheme - Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) -- of providing financial assistance to the families of healthcare professionals, who die while on duty in the fight against Covid-19, has gained momentum after appeals by Villupuram MP D Ravikumar and the Indian Medical Association (IMA).In a letter to Union health minister Harsh Vardhan dated April 18, Ravikumar said he was shocked to learn that Union government had stopped the PMGKP insurance scheme at 'this critical time when the second wave of Covid-19 infection is hitting the country'.

The scheme, which was introduced by the Union government in March last year, lapsed on March 24 this year. The Centre decided not to extend the scheme but introduce a ‘new dispensation to cover Covid-19 warriors’. The scheme provided compensation of up to Rs 50 lakh to the families of the healthcare professionals who die while on duty in fighting the Covid-19 infection.

In a letter addressed to secretary (health and family welfare) Rajesh Bhushan dated April 19, IMA national president J A Jayabal and honorary secretary general Jayesh M Lele pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned that 14% of healthcare professionals were likely to be infected and the mortality rate among them was much more than the general public. The duo urged the secretary to keep the insurance option open and make it user friendly.

"There is a growing shortage of doctors as they are overworked and stressed out. It is the responsibility of the government to keep their morale high with adequate care and open-minded support," they said. They urged the government to extend the insurance scheme for another six months, expedite and ease out the bottlenecks of the procedure and ensure all healthcare professionals are recognized and adequately compensated for their dedicated services.

They regretted that only 168 modern medicine doctors of the total 756, who sacrificed their lives could avail the had benefited thus far. Only 287 healthcare professionals of them had received the benefit, they said.

Ravikumar said the Centre's decision to stop the scheme from March 24 this year would dampen the morale of the healthcare workers and worsen the already deteriorating situation.

"So, I humbly request you to take immediate steps to extend the PMGKP insurance scheme and pay the dues to the families of the deceased health workers," the MP said in the letter.