TED NewsDesk, BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government is preparing a bill, under which it will provide full reimbursement of medical expenses to doctors and staff of government-administered autonomous medical colleges amid the ongoing battle against COVID-19. The government has decided that junior doctors working in medical colleges will get reimbursement for life-saving drugs if they get infected by COVID-19.
This move aims to benefit roughly 10,000 staffers and doctors of such institutions in the State, a public relations department official said on Sunday. Until now, the provision was for medical reimbursement of up to ₹3,000 for doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians and other staff of such medical colleges. On the other hand, the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services Medical Care Rules, 1958 will provide a full refund of medical of the staffers of different government departments, he said.
“This discrepancy has been removed now after officials and staff of government-administered autonomous medical colleges brought the issue to the notice of State Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang,” added the official.
The government has also decided that junior doctors working in medical colleges can get reimbursement for life-saving drugs if they get infected by the coronavirus, he said. Discussions are also underway for an insurance scheme for medical students, and Mr Sarang has directed the officials concerned to prepare its draft, he mentioned.
Such moves that benefit doctors who belong to the first line of defence in India against COVID-19 will prove to be much fruitful in the war against the pandemic. The welfare of healthcare workers in these trying times is something state governments can actively work on, following the footsteps of Madhya Pradesh.
Source: The Hindu