THE federal government made the right decision to resume payment of risk allowance to healthcare workers who continue to put their lives in considerable peril as they treat patients of Covid-19. According to media reports, around 14,600 healthcare workers have been affected by the coronavirus; 143 have lost their lives in the line of duty. The issue was brought to light by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser last week when he pointed out during a parliament session that healthcare workers had not received their risk allowance for the past 11 months. He instructed the Ministry of National Health Services to resolve the issue by the end of June. However, it appears that the challenges linked to the allowance that had caused unease in the medical fraternity last year have not gone away. The federal health ministry asked hospital managements to provide lists of ‘eligible’ healthcare workers treating patients of Covid-19. These proved inadequate and the decision of payment of risk allowance was left to the subjective discretion of the authorities. The same process had been followed last year, resulting in complaints that healthcare workers who were said to be in direct contact with coronavirus patients were paid more than those who were perceived to have ‘only’ indirect contact with such patients, including those working in outpatient departments or performing surgeries, though they would also have been vulnerable.

Critics have pointed out that Covid-19 wards were given adequate gear, including PPEs, masks and goggles, for the protection of their staff while those working in other departments were often without any protective gear leaving them more vulnerable to exposure to undiagnosed Covid-19 patients. Many also treated Covid patients for other ailments or conducted procedures such as childbirth, putting themselves at risk. The authorities’ good intentions notwithstanding, there is a need to consult experienced medical professionals for deciding on compensation for healthcare workers exposed to risk and to improve data collection so that the distribution of funds is fair and transparent.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2021