Insurance scheme for healthcare workers fighting Covid extended for 180 days

The Central government has extended the duration of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), an insurance scheme for healthcare workers fighting Covid-19, for a further period of 180 days from April 19, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday.

The scheme has been extended so as to continue to provide the safety net to the dependents of healthcare workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19 patients.

In this regard, a letter has been issued to Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries Health, and Secretaries (Health) of all States and Union Territories.

The PMGKP was launched on March 30 last year to provide comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to 22.12 lakh healthcare providers, including community health workers and private health workers, who may have been in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this.

Since the launch of the scheme, so far, 1,905 claims of health workers who died while being deployed for COVID-19 related duties have been settled, the ministry added.