Kin of frontliners who died of coronavirus yet to get Rs 50L solatium

Chennai

Family members of the deceased frontliners and doctors’ associations are demanding that the state come out with a GO to provide the solatium so that those working on the frontlines remain motivated. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had earlier announced that families of frontline workers would receive Rs 50 lakh upon death due to COVID-19. He also announced that a family member of the deceased would be offered a government job based on their qualifications. Later, the Centre had announced to provide Rs 50 lakh as health insurance claim per healthcare worker for COVID-19 till September. But none of this has reached their families so far.

According to Health officials, nurse matron Priscilla and nurse Thangalakshmi who worked at RGGGH died of COVID-19 while attending to patients while Dr Akila who was on Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) at Sivaganga also succumbed to the infection. Three doctors from private hospitals in the city died due to corona, including one at Sri Ramachandra Medical Center and two others at Vijaya Hospital. “Two nurses, including a matron from RGGGH passed away due to COVID-19. Another lab technician died due to COVID-19 but he did not attend virus patients,” said Dr K Narayanaswamy, medical superintendent, RGGGH.

Dr Narayana Babu, Director of Medical Education, clarified that patients on COVID-19 related duties are only eligible for solatium but the details were unavailable yet. “We are demanding that State release the GO on the solatium for all healthcare workers,” said Dr GR Ravindranath, Secretary, DASE.

While many frontline workers in civic bodies who tested positive are being provided with Rs 2 lakh, medical professionals who have tested positive rue the lack of benefits. Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Dr TS Selvavinayagam said that a Central nodal agency is coordinating with the State to help healthcare workers claim the insurance amount of Rs 50 lakh.