With rising number of COVID-19 cases, Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) on Tuesday wrote a letter to the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Yogesh Tyagi seeking financial assistance for its full time employees, ad hoc teachers, guest teachers and contractual employees. The mentioned financial/ medical assistance must be provided to assist in managing COVID-19. 
The recent incident of death of Prof. Wali Akhtar, who had submit to the deadly virus after being denied timely treatment at several leading hospitals, “exposes the utter unpreparedness of the system to deal with COVID-19 cases or with urgencies arising out of other ailments”, the DUTA’s letter said.
According to the earlier directions, if any university staff is tested COVID-19 positive, and in case is unable to meet the expenses of the treatment must then be transferred to a government hospital. DUTA demanded that cashless treatment must be provided to all the University employees and their dependent family members suffering from COVID-19 at all designated hospitals in Delhi and NCR.
DUTA further demanded that full reimbursement must be provided for treatment of doctors of medical colleges and their dependents and medical institutions directly affiliated under Delhi University such as the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI).
The letter added, “The Teachers’ Welfare Fund (TWF) of Delhi University, which has been lying unused for many years now, must be immediately activated to provide financial aid to Delhi University employees requiring treatment for Covid-19.”
Keeping in mind the high costs involved in the treatment, the body suggested the provision to provide 1.5 lakh rupees as medical assistance and upto 3 lakhs as medical hardship.
The University can also take into consideration the suggestion to sanitize residential colonies, hostels and revamping the World University Services, providing facilities to university employees and their families.
