Docs, health workers' families will be provided jobs if they die on COVID-19 duty: Tripura CM

Agartala, Apr 9 () Tripura Chief Minister BiplabKumar Deb on Thursday said the state government will provideemployment oppurtunity to families of doctors, nurses andother health workers if they die due to COVID-19 while onofficial duty.

Deb, who is also the health minister of the state,visited the state-run Gobinda Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital andIndira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital earlier in the day toreview their preparedness for tackling coronavirus cases.

"We had earlier announced that if any doctor, nurse orhealth staff dies due to coronavirus, we shall provide Rs 4lakh as compensation to their families. In addition to this,we would also provide jobs to the next of kins," he toldreporters here.

Asked about reports of nurses at GB Pant Hospital andKailashahar District Hospital in Unakoti district allegingshortage of protective equipment, Deb said there was enoughstock of PPEs in hospitals.

"The health secretary and other officials areauthorised to speak to the media. We have sufficient PPE,gloves, sanitisers and masks in stock. The state governmentwill take strict action against the nurses for creatingpanic," he said.

Deb also said he had a word with the only COVID-19patient in the state, who is under treatment at GB PantHospital. "She has said she was feeling better," he added. JOYRBT RBT