Covid-19: Centre extends insurance scheme for health workers for further 180 days

New Delhi, April 19: The Central government's insurance scheme for health workers fighting Covid-19 infection has been extended for another period of 180 days to continue to provide the safety net to the dependents of frontline warriors. "The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance scheme for Healthcare Workers Fighting Covid-19 has been extended for a further period of 180 days from 19th April 2022. It has been decided to extend the policy so as to continue to provide the safety net to the dependents of health workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19 patients," the order issued by the Centre said. A letter dated to this effect has been issued on 19th April 2022 to Additional Chief Secretaries (Health)/Principal Secretaries (Health)/ Secretaries (Health) of all States/UTs for giving wide publicity amongst the health workers in their respective states and UTs. The PMGKP was launched on March 30, 2020, in order 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. Also Read | Shiv Sena alleges motive of electoral gains behind Jahangirpuri violence The PMGKP also covers private hospital staff/retired/ volunteer/local urban bodies/contract/daily wage/ad-hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by states/central hospitals/autonomous hospitals of central/states/UTs, AIIMS and Institute of National Importance (INI)/hospitals of Central Ministries specifically drafted for the care of Covid-19 patients. Since the launch of the scheme, 1905 claims of health workers who died while being deployed for Covid-19 related duties have been settled, so far. Also Read | Eyeing 2024 LS polls, Cong again meets Prashant Kishor to discuss roadmap -PTC News