A general physician in Yadgir, Dr. Siddanna K, succumbed to COVID-19 on 25th July 2020. He was seeing patients in his clinic and caught the infection. According to his death report, he suffered from pneumonia and had comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. His family still awaits the Rs 50 lakh compensation that was promised by the central government to all the families of doctors who had died due to COVID-19.

Dr. Siddaiah, his son-in-law, who is a professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru said that they submitted all the required documents; however they have not received any compensation even after one year. His clinic was closed, but on orders of the Yadgir deputy commissioner, he had opened it last year to see patients and got the infection, stated Dr Siddaiah.

The family of Dr. MK Shakeel, a pediatrician and Associate Professor at Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital in Chitradurga, also shared the same story. He passed away this year and his family still awaits compensation.

Dr. S Srinivasa, Chairman of the Indian Medical Association Standing Committee for Child Health, from Karnataka, said that not even five families of doctors has been given compensation from the government across the state. He met Health Department officials Jawaid Akhtar, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Departmentas well as BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta in order to get the compensation released; however, no action has been taken to date. 

Dr. K Sudhakar, Health Minister, said that the insurance scheme was launched by the Center in 2020, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, to provide a safety cover to healthcare and frontline workers in adversities during coronavirus pandemic and it concluded on March 24 this year. However, on 21st April, the Center announced that the health insurance scheme for healthcare and frontline workers was being extended for one more year with immediate effect. In case of any procedural delays, they will speak to the insurance company and will get it resolved immediately, Dr Sudhakar said.

Source: The New Indian Express