Lok Sabha Question No. 1643 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-11
Subject: Undercounting of COVID Deaths
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Rahul Gandhi, Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1643 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2022

## UNDERCOUNTING OF COVID DEATHS

## †1643.  SHRI RAHUL GANDHI: SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

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

- (a) whether as per research published in journal Science COVID-19 deaths in India during the period  from  January  2020  to  July  2021  was  between  31  and  34  lakhs  as  opposed  to  the officially reported 4 lakh deaths, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government accepts the authenticity of its  own Health  Management Information  System  in  reporting  deaths  by  States  and  the  Civil  Registration  System managed by the respective States used in gathering data for the above research;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  investigate  the  issue  of  massive  undercounting  of COVID-19 deaths in India and conduct a pan-India audit of COVID-19 deaths, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  steps  taken  to  tackle  undercounting  of  deaths  and  ensure  that  the  guidelines  for classification of deaths due to post-Covid complications are being strictly followed; and
- (e) the details of COVID-19 death compensation claims filed and claims accepted as on January 1, 2022 along with the compensation paid to families of the deceased, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): As on 9 th February 2022, as reported by States/UTs, a total of 5,05,279 deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported in the country.

The above mentioned study is speculative and make use of non-validated methodology for calculating estimates of excess mortality and lacks any peer reviewed scientific data.

India  has  a  robust  Civil  Registration  System  (CRS)  and  Sample  Registration  System  (SRS) which predates the COVID-19 pandemic and covers all States/UTs. The registration of deaths in

the  country  is  done  under  Registration  of  Births  and  Deaths  Act  (RBD  Act,  1969)  by functionaries appointed by the State Governments.

In  the  context  of  COVID-19  Pandemic,  detailed  guidelines  for  reporting  of  deaths  have  been issued by Union Health Ministry to all States/UTs. Accordingly, all States/UTs report cases and deaths to Union Health Ministry on a regular basis.

Indian  Council  for  Medical  Research  (ICMR)  on  10 th May  2020  issued  'Guidance  for appropriate recording of COVID-19 related deaths in India' (Available at: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/Guidance\_appropriate\_recording\_of\_related\_deaths\_ India.pdf) .

Union Ministry of Health & FW, vide letter dated 9 th October 2020 has conveyed to States/UTs, WHO and ICMR guidelines  on  correct  recording  of  COVID-19  related  deaths  in  accordance with globally accepted ICD-10 classification and also urged states for periodic death audits with the  aim  to  improve  quality  of  healthcare  services  by  suitable  corrective  measures.  States/UTs were also provided with a proforma for carrying out death audits in this regard.

States and UTs have been advised through formal communications, multiple video conferences and through deployment of Central teams for correct recording of deaths in accordance with laid down guidelines.

In  pursuance  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  Judgement  dated  30 th June  2021,  Government  of India  through  National  Disaster  Management  Authority  (NDMA)  has  issued  'Guidelines  to provide for ex-gratia assistance to kin of the deceased by COVID-19'. NDMA has recommended an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 50,000/- per deceased person, subject to cause of death certified as COVID-19.

The ex-gratia assistance is provided by States from State Disaster Response Funds. Distribution of such ex-gratia relief is the responsibility of the State/UT Government concerned.