Lok Sabha Question No. 898 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-23
Subject: Death due to COVID-19
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Girish Bhalchandra Bapat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA U NSTARRED QUES TION NO. 898 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD JULY, 2021

## DEATH DUE TO COVID - 19

## 898. DR. PRITAM GOPINATHR AO MUNDE: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SH EWALE: SHRI GIRISH BHALCHAN DRA BAPAT:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of doctors, nurses and other para medical personnel who lost their lives in the war against the COVID- 19 pandemic during the first and second waves;

- (b) whether there is any proposal from Government to recognize them as COVID martyrs; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the present status thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR . BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR )

(a) to (c): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare does not maintain occupation wise data COVID - 19  cases  and  deaths.  However,  life  insurance  benefits  are  being  provided  to  He Workers under 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): I nsurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID 19'. The scheme provides a comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs. 50 lakhs to healthcare providers, including community health workers and private workers drafted by the Government for COVID19 related responsibilities, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID - 19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by it. The benefits under the said scheme have been extended for a further period of 180 days 24 th April 2021).

A s  on  15 th July  2021,  a  total  of  921  doctors  and  healthcare  workers  have  been  pa insurance claim @ Rs. 50 lakh each under the said scheme.

Government of India has introduced a new category called 'Wards of COVID Warriors' in the guidelines for selection a nd nomination of candidates against Central pool MBBS seats for the academic year 2020 -21. Five Central pool MBBS seats were reserved for this category fo the  academic  year  2020 - 21.  MBBS  seats  were  allocated  for  Central  pool  MBBS  seats  for candidates from amongst the wards of 'COVID Warriors', who have lost life due to COVID 19; or died accidently on account of COVID 19 related duty.

Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare  on  3 rd May  2021  has  advised  States/UTs  to undertake  various  initiatives  to  recognize  a nd  honor  services  rendered  by  healthcare  workers engaged in COVID - 19 related duties. Some of these include:

1. All such professionals who sign up for minimum 100 days of Covid duty and complete successfully  will  be  given  the  Prime  Minister's  Distinguished Covid  National  Service Samman from Government of India.
2. State/UT Governments to consider giving preference in regular Government appointments Health professionals through the respective Public Service Commission/ other recruit bodies, for those Heal th Professionals under this special scheme, who complete a minimum of 100 days of Covid related duty.
3. States/UTs may  also consider  giving suitable honorarium for distinguished Covid Ser may also be considered as per NHM norms.