The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a plea challenging the Central Government’s insurance coverage scheme for medical professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic. The matter came up before a Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice R. Mahadevan, which made notable observations concerning the government’s responsibility to safeguard those who risked their lives to serve society amid the health crisis.
During the hearing, Justice Narasimha highlighted the irreplaceable role played by doctors during the pandemic, observing that “society will not forgive us if we fail to care for those who cared for us.” The Bench was examining the eligibility criteria under the government’s scheme, especially in cases where medical practitioners were not formally engaged in government service but had continued to treat patients in private or voluntary capacities.
Addressing Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, the Court emphasised that the government must ensure that insurance providers honour legitimate claims. Justice Narasimha remarked that doctors who continued medical practice during the pandemic could not be presumed to have done so for profit. “If they were responding to the COVID crisis and lost their lives due to infection, they must not be denied coverage merely because they were not on government rolls,” he observed.
The Court, however, clarified that it would not examine individual claims but would formulate guiding principles for the uniform implementation of the scheme. The Bench indicated that the key considerations would include whether the deceased doctor was actively providing medical services and whether the death was directly linked to COVID-19 infection.
“The fact that a doctor volunteered to serve by keeping their clinic or hospital open must be supported by credible evidence,” the Bench noted. It further stated that once it is established that the doctor’s death resulted from COVID-19 contracted while offering medical assistance, there should be no distinction based on the nature of their employment.
Additionally, Justice Narasimha directed the Centre to submit data on other comparable welfare or insurance schemes available for healthcare professionals. The Bench stated that once the Court lays down the principles, the insurance companies must decide individual claims accordingly.
Concluding the hearing, Justice Narasimha remarked that the case would be disposed of based on the Court’s forthcoming judgment, underscoring that the nation owes a moral and legal obligation to protect those who served selflessly during one of its most testing times.
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