Data on health workers infected or those who died during Covid-19 duty not maintained at central level: Govt

Data on the number of healthcare workers who are infected by the coronavirus infection or have lost their lives during Covid-19 duty is not maintained at the central level by the health ministry, the government told Lok Sabha on Friday.

However, details of the number of persons seeking relief under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Insurance Package for Health Workers Fighting Covid-19" is maintained at the national level, Minister of State (MoS) for Health Ashwini Choubey said in a written reply.

According to details of the scheme, a total of 155 healthcare staff, including 64 doctors, have died due to the coronavirus infection in the country as on September 11.

In response to a question on compensation or job, Choubey said no specific scheme in the context of Covid-19 has been proposed for compensation or job to the next of kin of such deceased doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.

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To a question on the number of doctors, paramedics and other official staff serving in government and private hospitals who were affected and died during Covid-19 duty, the minister said, "Data on the number of healthcare workers who are infected by Covid-19 or number of such persons who have lost lives during Covid-19 duty is not maintained at central level by Ministry of Health".

However, insurance provision has been made under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package for Health Workers Fighting Covid-19”, a central sector scheme, he said.

The scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh to healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of Covid-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this, Choubey said.

It will also include accidental loss of life on account of contracting Covid-19, the minister informed.