Due to the escalating figures of COVID19 cases, the Indian government has extended the 50 lakhs rupees scheme for 22 lakh healthcare providers up to September, a news agency reported.

As per the announcement made by the UnionMinister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, the scheme implemented by New India Assurance was to end on June 30. The scheme is a part of the Rs 1.70 lakh Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan package.

The scheme is funded through the National Disaster Response Fund, operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The insurance provides a personal accident cover of Rs 50 lakh to public healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of patients suffering from coronavirus infection and maybe at a risk. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers, and a few others working in hospitals under the central and state governments are being covered under the insurance scheme.

Also,  safai karamcharis, ward-boys, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, doctors and specialists, and other health workers are covered by the special insurance scheme.