Allianz Life Insurance has announced free life insurance cover worth GHS8.44 million to medical professionals in three hospitals in the country who may come into direct contact with people infected with the highly infectious deadlyCOVID-19.

The selected health institutions include 37 Military Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra region, and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in the Ashanti region.

Speaking at a ceremony to present the package to the management of the 37 Military Hospital, Gideon Ataraire, CEO of Allianz Life Insurance remarked that the gesture is to acknowledge the sacrifices these professionals make in their quest to ensure the infection is brought under control.

“We recognize that the government has put in place a number of measures to ensure that this outbreak is contained. For us at Allianz Life, we looked at what the government has done and decided to add to these measures by taking care of these professionals at the frontline of this fight in case of any eventuality,” he said.

The package covers 112 medical doctors and 620 nurses who work in the emergency sections and other key departments in the three health institutions. The 12-month cover insures the medical professionals against incidents that may happen over the period regardless of whether it is COVID-19 related or not.

These professionals are expected to receive compensation in the event of any incident that renders them unable to perform their duties while their families are assured of compensation from Allianz Life Insurance in the event of death.

Col. A. G. Bugri - Commanding Official of the Hospital receiving the package on behalf of the management of the 37 Military Hospital said the insurance package would serve as additional motivation for medical professionals who happen to be at the frontline of COVID-19.

“This is a very kind gesture because we at the frontline we were worried about what happens to us. You can get infected and when that happens and you know there is an insurance package to remedy such a tragedy, you are very happy.

This emboldens us to go forward and our families would know if anything happens, there is something to lean on,” he added.

As at Friday March 20, 2020, 16 cases of the coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19 have been recorded, according to the Ghana Health Service. 

The presentation of the package to the management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi was done by Robert Eshun, the Northern Sector Regional Sales Manager.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital, Dr. Oheneba Owusu-Danso, who received the package, expressedmanagement’s heartfelt gratitude to Allianz Life. He said the offer will contribute immensely to the battle to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

He stated while health professionals go great lengths to battle the disease, it is also imperative for the public to abide by the precautionary measures check against the spread of the disease announced by the relevant health agencies.

The presentation to the staff and management of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will be made at a later date.