The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), an insurance scheme for the healthcare workers fighting Covid-19, was implemented with effect from 30 March 2020, initially for 90 days to provide an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh to the healthcare workers. Later, the duration of the scheme was extended up to 24 March 2021 and was again extended on 20 April 2021 for one year.
As per the figures received from the Maharashtra government, 210 applications were sent to the Central government, and only in 58 cases, the insurance amount has been paid. Pune had sent 47 applications, and BMC had sent only 38 applications even though Mumbai has seen the highest number of casualties. Nevertheless, only three cases from Pune have been approved whereas 22 cases of BMC have been approved.
When we analyse the figures as per profession, applications of only 10 doctors out of 19 doctors have been approved. Surprisingly only one application for a doctor was sent from BMC that did not get approved. IMA has stated that 74 doctors from Maharashtra have lost their lives due to Covid-19. In Maharashtra, only three out of nine nurses have received the compensation, and only three out of six Asha workers have received the same.
Activist Jeetendra Ghadge of The Young Whistleblowers NGO said, «The healthcare staff is taking serious risk while taking care of us.. But unfortunately, because of the delay in the process of getting this claim approved we are letting them down. Besides, only the Central government’s scheme covers the health workers while the state government›s scheme covers other Covid warriors. It›s important to boost the morale of our healthcare workers by giving them financial security, I hope the government takes notice of these figures”