The AMA is pushing for a national life insurance fund to guarantee a ‘death in the line of duty’ payment to the families of health workers on the COVID-19 frontline who die from the disease.

With insurer TAL moving to exclude COVID-19 from new insurance policies, the AMA is seeking to provide reassurance for frontline health workers, including GPs, as they brace for a wave of cases against a background of PPE shortages.

The inspiration is a new government-funded scheme in India, where frontline healthcare and sanitation personnel are insured for around $10,800 (50 lakh or 500,000 rupees), says Dr Chris Moy, chair of the AMA Ethics Committee.

Dr Moy has already received a positive response from SA Premier Steven Marshall and SA Minister for Health Stephen Wade.