KGMOA seeks special package for healthcare providers

Thiruvananthapuram:

Government doctors

have sought a

special package

for those involved in

Covid-19 prevention

and

cure activities

.

Health workers

,

nurses

and

doctors

are risking their lives and hence they should be rewarded for their commitment, they said.

In a letter submitted to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan,

Kerala Government Medical Officers Association

(KGMOA) said health sector staffers are at the forefront of Covid-19 treatment and prevention activities in state. There have been incidents where doctors and nurses contracted the disease while treating patients, said

KGMOA

president

Dr Joseph Chacko

.

Government has a responsibility to take care of these persons and provide enough protection. Several nations and some states in the country have come out with special incentives for those working round-the-clock to bring down Covid-19 cases. Hence, government should formulate a special package, including an insurance cover for doctors, nurses and other health workers, said

KGMOA secretary Dr GS Vijayakrishnan

.

KGMOA had opposed the government’s salary challenge and had requested both the chief minister and the health minister to exclude health sector from the compulsory challenge. However, government rejected this request and said it was impossible to omit a section of government employees when everyone is becoming a part of the initiative. It is in this backdrop that KGMOA has demanded a special financial package for the sector.