High Court criticizes Maharashtra government for refusing compensation for nurse’s COVID death, deeming it ‘insensitive’ – ET HealthWorld

The Bombay High Court has criticized the Maharashtra government for its “insensitive” decision to deny a Rs 50 lakh compensation to the husband of a nurse who lost her life to COVID-19 while treating patients during the pandemic. The court noted that the government’s rejection of compensation lacked proper consideration and sensitivity towards the deceased nurse’s sacrifices.

Anita Rathod Pawar, an assistant nurse at Sassoon General Hospital in Pune, was part of the COVID-19 warriors team treating coronavirus-infected patients. In April 2020, she succumbed to the virus, despite her dedication and service during the peak of the pandemic. The state government had introduced a compensation scheme for frontline workers like Anita, offering Rs 50 lakh in case of death while on duty.

However, the government rejected the compensation application of Anita’s husband, Sudhakar Pawar, citing her pre-existing health conditions. The court examined a medical report that contradicted this claim, confirming Anita’s good health before the COVID-19 infection. The bench criticized the government’s decision as lacking proper justification and directed them to reconsider their stance.

The court has asked the government to provide an explanation for the rejection of compensation and is set to hear the case again in two weeks. The judgment highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring the sacrifices made by frontline workers, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.