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IMA’s Advocacy & Supreme Court Judgment in Favor of COVID-Warrior Doctors-

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By Dr CSRaju

 

Brief Report: Supreme Court Judgment in Favour of COVID-Warrior Doctors (Including Private Doctors) & IMA’s Advocacy

1. Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) – Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19, assuring ₹50 lakh insurance for frontline healthcare workers who died in the line of duty.

However, many claims—especially those related to private doctors, private hospital staff, and independent practitioners—were denied or left pending, citing technicalities such as “not officially requisitioned by government.”

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) actively pursued legal and policy intervention to ensure equitable recognition of all COVID warriors.

2. Supreme Court Judgment

The Supreme Court has now delivered a landmark ruling:

Key Directions

  • Private doctors who treated COVID patients and died due to COVID are fully eligible under the PMGKP insurance scheme.

  • Eligibility does not depend on whether the doctor was:

    • Government-appointed,

    • Formally requisitioned, or

    • Working in a government facility.

  • If the doctor was actively treating COVID patients, the family is entitled to the ₹50 lakh insurance benefit.

  • The Court emphasised that private-sector doctors made enormous sacrifices and cannot be excluded on administrative grounds.

  • The Centre and insurance administrator must honour all valid claims without delay.

3. IMA’s Advocacy & Contribution

The Indian Medical Association played a decisive role:

  • Documented and highlighted deaths of nearly 1,600 doctors during the pandemic.

  • Engaged with the Union Government and the Ministry of Health to flag injustice in rejected claims.

  • Provided legal support to affected families approaching the courts.

  • Made consistent representations to ensure private doctors, clinic-based practitioners, and small-hospital staff were not left out.

  • Kept the issue alive in public discourse through:

    • Press briefings

    • Memoranda

    • Policy submissions

    • Parliamentary engagement through supportive MPs

This sustained advocacy significantly shaped the judicial and policy response.

4. Impact of the Judgment

  • Brings justice, dignity, and financial relief to families of private doctors who sacrificed their lives.

  • Establishes a uniform national standard for recognizing COVID warriors.

  • Acknowledges the critical role of private healthcare in India’s pandemic response.

  • Strengthens trust between frontline healthcare workers and public institutions.

5. Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s ruling is a major victory for fairness and a direct outcome of IMA’s persistent advocacy. It reaffirms that every doctor—government or private—who served and fell during the pandemic is a national COVID warrior deserving of recognition and support.

Salute to Dr. Babu from Kerala for his unwavering RTI pursuit that exposed the gaps in compensation for COVID-warrior doctors. His persistence ensured truth came out and justice moved forward. A reminder of how committed individuals can strengthen accountability for the entire medical community."

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