Insurance scheme for ‘Corona Warriors’ extended by one year

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) scheme for health workers has been extended for one year. This scheme was supposed to expire on April 24 after settling the ongoing claims to the families of ‘Corona Warriors’.

While informing about the extension through a tweet, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harshvardhan shared a letter sent to New India Assurance Company Limited that requested to resume the scheme with immediate effect, adding that the funds will be released as soon as possible.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package has provided a safety net to the dependents of Corona Warriors who lost their lives battling the Covid-19 pandemic, he tweeted.

What is PMGKP?

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) is an accidental insurance cover for the loss of life due to COVID19, and it also covers accidental death on account of COVID-19 related duty announced on March 2020.  This insurance initially launched for 90 days gives the cover of Rs 50 lakh to the family of the insurer. The entire amount of premium for this scheme is borne by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Who all are covered under the scheme?

Public 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 would be covered by the scheme.

Private hospital staff and retired, volunteer, local urban bodies, contracted, daily wage, ad-hoc, outsourced staff requisitioned by States,  Central hospitals, autonomous hospitals of Central,  States, UTs, AIIMS and INIs, hospital of Central Ministries drafted for COVID 19 related responsibilities are eligible for the scheme.

According to the latest data, an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh has been provided to 287 claims under the PMKGP scheme as a safety net to the dependents of Corona warriors who lost their lives working for COVID-19 treatment.