Arvind Kejriwal Announces Rs 1 Cr For Kin Of Delhi Healthcare Staff Who Die Dealing Covid-19 Cases

Delhi government will give Rs one crore to the families of Coronavirus fighters belonging to the national capital if they die in the line of duty.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during press conference. (Image: Twitter/ AAP)

New Delhi:  As India continues to fight against the deadly outbreak of Coronavirus, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced a sum of Rs 1 crore to the families of security personnel who die on duty. While making the announcement, Kejriwal also said that families of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and sanitation workers will also be given an equal amount if they die while dealing with Covid-19 patients. Recently in the capital, three cases of doctors getting infected with COVID-19 came into light. Kejriwal made the announcement while addressing the concerns of city doctors through videoconferencing. CM Arvind Kejriwal said it will be a mark of ‘respect to their service’.

"I had conversation with doctors nurses and sanitary workers today. I thanked all of them from everyone's behalf.

They are endangering their lives for us. God forbids, if anything happens to them, their family will be given ₹ 1crore as ex gratia " : CM @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/zD1t0A12hl — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 1, 2020

“Delhi government will give Rs one crore to the families of Coronavirus fighters belonging to the national capital if they die in the line of duty,’’ CM Kejriwal in a press briefing along with Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain. The Aam Aadmi Party Chief stated that “Whether they are from private or government sector doesn’t matter,” Kejriwal said. The three resident doctors who got infected by the novel Coronavirus, one working at the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, her husband at Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, North Campus, while the third associated with Delhi Cancer Institute, reports said on Wednesday.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal interacted with doctors and paramedic staff of the city government hospitals on COVID-19 duty over video conference.

We salute their courage and dedication. CM @ArvindKejriwal have assured them full Govt support. pic.twitter.com/LAtzWXv0cG — AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 1, 2020

The CM further added, ''every precaution is being taken to protect the medical staff dealing with COVID-19 patients but despite that, if anything untoward happens to them, the govt will take care of their families.' Arvind Kejriwal’s announcement came days after Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, and other health care professionals involved in the care of COVID-19 patients will get a special insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh. So far, 120 cases of Coronavirus have been reported in the national capital.