The Meghalaya government has announced the increase of State health insurance benefits for those undergoing treatment in hospitals due to Covid-19.
The government announced ex gratia to families of those who died of the disease.
The insurance benefits will be covered under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) and COVID-19 patients being treated in hospitals will get an insurance cover of Rs 60,000 from the present Rs 4,900.
Moreover, families of de-ceased patients will get an ex gratia of Rs 50,000.
This payment will be made with retrospective effect to families which have lost their members since April 1 this year.
“The benefits will be released immediately to the beneficiaries,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters in Shillong on Friday.
The decision was taken by the Government after consultations with the Health Department and MHIS officials.
As of today, 58.5 per cent of the State population is covered under the MHIS.
This insurance facility is available to all residents of the State except State and Central Government employees who get their medical bills reimbursed separately.
Tynsong urged the people who are entitled to get enrolled under the MHIS, to register for the insurance scheme to avail of the benefits at the time of need.
Over the past few days, several organizations have petitioned the State Government to provide assistance to COV-ID-19 patients.