Jammu, Dec 3: The deaths occurring within 30 days from the date of testing or from the date of being clinically determined as a COVID-19 case will be treated as “deaths due to COVID-19”, even if the death takes place outside the hospital or in-patient facility.
Hence the families of such deceased will be eligible for ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000.
Similarly, the Next of Kin (NoK) of those, committed suicide within 30 days from being diagnosed as positive, will get an ex-gratia at the same rate i.e., 50,000.
This has been spelt out in the additional “mandatory guidelines for determination or detection of the cases for the purpose of the payment of COVID-19 deaths ex-gratia assistance” issued by J&K government on December 1.
Earlier on November 29, 2021, the UT administration had announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 50,000 for Next of Kin of all those who died of COVID19.
J&K Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DDMRRR) in an addendum to its order issued on November 29, has specified that for the purpose of considering the deaths due to COVID-19, the deceased “diagnosed through a positive RT- PCR or Molecular tests or RAT or clinically determined through investigations in a hospital or in-patient facility by a treating physician, while admitted in the hospital or in-patient facility” will be eligible.
As per new mandatory guidelines, the patient, who was admitted in the hospital or in-patient facility and who continued to be admitted beyond 30 days and died subsequently of COVID-19, will also be treated as a COVID-19 death.
“A family member of the deceased who committed suicide within 30 days from being diagnosed as COVID-19 positive shall also be entitled to avail the financial help or ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000,” it has been specified.
COVID-19 patients, who died either in the hospital or at home and did not possess any authentic certificate for cause of death, but they satisfied any of the eligibility criteria specified would also be eligible for ex-gratia assistance.
All concerned hospitals, where the patient was admitted and given treatment, would provide all the necessary documents of treatment etc., to the family member of the deceased, as and when demanded. If any hospital or the place, where the deceased had taken treatment refuses to furnish such documents, it will be open for the ‘Grievance Redress Committee’ to call for such information, the guidelines specify.
The concerned hospital or institution where the deceased was admitted would have to furnish such particulars as required for the purpose of establishing that the death was due to COVID-19.
“In cases of the death certifications already issued and any family member of the deceased is aggrieved by the cause of death mentioned in the death certification or in any other format already issued by the Hospital, it will be open for the aggrieved person to move the appropriate authority which issued the death certificate or registering authority. On production of the necessary documents as specified for the purpose, the concerned authority will modify or amend such death certification,” the guidelines mention.
It has been clarified that if the person still remains aggrieved, it will be opened for him or her to approach the Grievance Redress Committee which may amend or ratify the certification if needed. All concerned government departments and officers have been asked to give top priority to the matters related to this, so that successors of the deceased get assistance without facing any difficulty.