Private Doctors losing lives on-duty given no comfort measures

In another sad demise of a private doctor from Hassan dying due to Covid-19 on Wednesday, no compensation or relief measures will be directed to his family. He is the 42^nd private doctor in the state who died on-duty. The Government provides compensation to the government doctors under PM Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme and private doctors are not eligible for it.

Under the scheme, the health workers will get a compensation of Rs. 50 lakh on account of accidental death by Coronavirus infection.

In Karnataka, 42 private hospital practitioners and 13 government medical officers death have been recorded. As per the data provided by Union Health Ministry till Sept 15, only 8 from them will get the insurance from New India Assurance Company Limited.

Doctors are asking why should they treat patients in private hospitals under government quota when they are not insured. The Karnataka state branch representing the India Medical Association have put a plea to the CM to extend the insurance for private doctors on September 4.