The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme which has been launched by the central government to provide support to health workers, who are at the frontline of the fight against Coronavirus, has recently been extended for another six months.
The scheme was announced on 30th March for a period of 3 months and it was extendable to further 3 months more (i.e, 90 days) up to 25th September. Now, with new revisions, the scheme will last for a total of 1 year from the day of its launch.
Under the scheme, the central government provides an insurance cover of worth rupees 50 lakh to healthcare workers and compensation in case of accidental loss of life due to the coronavirus infection-related complications. The scheme also covers community health workers (who are likely to get infected while on duty because of their requirement to be in the direct care of COVID-19 patients).
Private hospital staff, healthcare volunteer, local or urban bodies or contract-based daily wage healthcare workers, ad-hoc, outsourced staff placed by States or Central hospitals or independent hospitals of Central or States or UTs, AIIMS, INIs or hospitals selected by Central Ministries for COVID-19 related duties and responsibilities are also covered under the scheme.
The Ministry of Health and Family welfare and New India Assurance Company Limited have both collaborated with each other to make the insurance amount available to the beneficiary as per the guidelines of the scheme. There is no need for individual enrolment to avail the scheme, also age limit is not a criterion for the eligibility of benefitting from the scheme.
So far the scheme has benefitted a total of 61 people following claim procedure and closure. About 156 claims are currently under assessment of New India Assurance Company Limited for settlement. While in 67 cases, claim forms submission from the States is still pending.
The objective of the scheme is to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the Healthcare Workers for their selfless dedication towards the fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic.