In Telangana, hospitals see steady rush for COVID-death documents

Number of applications likely to shoot up with NMDA’s ex-gratia recommendation

Government hospitals in the State have been witnessing a steady flow of applications for death summary of those who succumbed to COVID-19. Now, rush for the document, which mentions the ‘cause of death’, is expected to intensify with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recommending ex-gratia of ₹50,000 to the kin of coronavirus victims.

The Ministry of Home Affairs apprised the Supreme Court of the recommendation recently. Financial aid would be extended, provided that the death is certified as having been caused by COVID-19.

Following a person’s death, the hospital concerned issues a slip containing details such as name, duration of treatment, as well as time and date of death. This helps in clearing paper-work during funeral rites. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation issues a death certificate, also containing the same details along with the place of death. However, cause of death is mentioned in the ‘Death Summary’ which is issued by a government hospital administration only upon application.