Family to get Rs. 1cr if coronavirus kills healthcare-workers: Kejriwal
If a healthcare worker dies while treating COVID-19 patients, the family will get Rs. 1 crore compensation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday while adding that they were no less than soldiers defending the nation. "Today, the job that health workers are doing is no less than that of a soldier. You are risking your life to save people of this country," he said.
Private hospital doctors have also been included
Kejriwal reminded that his government had announced a similar compensation for soldiers if they died on the line of duty. "I want to announce that if unfortunately, any health worker - sanitation workers, doctors or nurses - is martyred while serving COVID-19 patients, their families will be given Rs. 1 crore," he said. The scheme doesn't differentiate between private and government hospitals, he said.
'Mark of respect'
Delhi's infections have almost reached 100
In Delhi, 97 people have been infected with coronavirus, and two have died. The number of infected people includes two doctors from Mohalla clinics, the AAP government's ambitious healthcare program. The first doctor contracted the infection from a Saudi returnee and the second one sits at a clinic in Babarpur. After the first case, Kejriwal said Mohalla clinics will remain functional.
Coronavirus has made doctors vulnerable
The coronavirus pandemic has put doctors across the world at risk. They have been demanding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to save themselves from the virus, which has taken 43,261 globally. In Italy, the worst-affected nation, over 60 doctors have died of the disease.
Separately, Delhi will feed more poor from today
Besides announcing aid for healthcare workers, the Delhi government is also working to feed the poor, whose livelihoods have been threatened due to the lockdown. Starting today, the government will provide a cooked meal, twice a day, to 10-12 lakh poor. The food will be distributed at 2,800 locations across the National Capital. Currently, some 8 lakh people are being fed.
Poor won't have to walk far for food
District magistrates of 11 districts and officials of the Directorate of Education (DoE) have been asked to identify schools or government buildings, where hunger relief camps can be set. These centers will be close to slums/resettlement colonies to ensure the poor don't have to walk for food. The decision to expand the program was taken as lesser camps would mean poor social distancing.
Here's what Kejriwal said about expanding food distribution
"Right now, food is available at around 800 locations in Delhi. From Wednesday, 2,500 schools and 250 night shelters will start distributing food for 500 each. We were feeding 3.5-4 lakh people daily and from tomorrow we will start feeding 10-12 lakh people," Kejriwal said.
