The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), an insurance scheme for Healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 has been extended 180 days more from April 19, 2022, the Union Health Ministry said in a statement.
The scheme has been extended to continue to provide the safety net to the dependents of healthcare workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19 patients, the Health Ministry stated.
PMGKP was launched on March 30, 2020 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.
Further, on account of the unprecedented situation, 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 care of COVID-19 patients are also covered under the PMGKP.
So far, a total of 1,905 claims of healthcare workers who died while being deployed for Covid-related duties have been settled, the ministry added.