Class-4 staffer dies in Civil Covid ward, family refused certificate

Over 2,000 class 4 workers of the Civil Hospital threatened to go on strike on Saturday after one of them died during Covid-19 treatment and authorities showed reluctance to share her test report with the family.

Kokila Makwana (32), who worked in the Covid ward of the Civil Hospital and was being treated there, died on Saturday. After the family came to collect the body, it demanded her tests reports. The family claimed the authorities were reluctant to share the reports and told them she did not suffer from Covid-19.

The aggrieved family was banking on the test reports as it would decide whether she would get benefits announced by the state government for frontline Covid workers who lose their life in the line of duty.

It refused to accept the body till the matter was settled. Other class 4 workers of the hospital, at one point, threatened to go on strike.

Deceased’s relative Narendra Nadiya said, "Kokila worked with Rajdeep Enterprises which is contracted to provide workers in the Civil Hospital. She was admitted her since May 25 after showing symptoms of Covid-19. She drew salary of Rs 7,500, Rs 500 more than others like her, as she worked in the Covid ward. She has two kids, the girl being 12-years-old and younger five-year-old son. The family is banking on the government benefits as her kids have many years of studies left."

Kokilaben’s family said the authorities first told them she was not coronavirus positive. "Then why was she being treated in the Covid ward?" asked Nadiya. "Authorities are talking in differing voices. We have demanded clarity on her status and what benefits her family will get," he added.

Her supervisor Mukund Leuva said he would be taking the matter up with Rajdeep Enterprises so that justice is done to the bereaved family.

J V Modi said, "We are investigating into the family’s application. We will inform the government about her case. Her family will get the benefits as per government norms."