Insurance giant Old Mutual said today, it has made R4 billion worth of life cover available to approximately 430 000 registered healthcare workers across South Africa at the frontline of fighting COVID-19.
The cover is not a product nor a policy, and no premiums will be recovered from it, the group said.
Interim Old Mutual CEO Iain Williamson said
the cover will be available from April to December to qualifying categories of members who are registered with the Healthcare Professionals Council of South Africa as well as all registered practitioners of the South African Nursing Council.
“The cover includes a R10,000 sum which becomes payable in the event of death of qualifying healthcare workers, and is intended to provide relief to families who may have to deal with the tragic loss of a loved one during this period. The cover has no exclusions, and will include death related to any cause,” Williamson said.
“While we acknowledge that we cannot practically cover every single essential service worker at this time, the business has nevertheless made a call to provide R4 billion in free cover to the approximately 430 000 registered healthcare workers who we believe are among the most exposed to the virus, and who continue to serve our nation so diligently.”
Several nurses and doctors have tested positive for the novel COVID-19 virus across the country.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said yesterday, he was “concerned” after it emerged that 66 people, including 48 staff members, had tested positive for Covid-19 at Netcare’s St Augustine’s hospital – situated in Durban.
