2018-2019 Batch PG Medical Students to Continue as Residents, Clarifies VMMC

The recent notice dated 23.06.2021 further mentioned that the PG medical students of the said batch would continue receiving full-pay or stipend for their services as Resident doctors.

Principal of VMMC and SJH, Dr. Geetika Khanna informed the Post-graduate medical students of the institute that, "As per the advisory of National Medical Commission, and as per the decision of the Directorate General of Health Services, in continuation of our previous notice dated 28.04.2021, it has been decided that the services of the final year MD/MS postgraduate students-session 2018-2019 will further continue as Residents with full-pay/ stipend until fresh batch of postgraduate students join physically."

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that due to the delay in the conduction of NEET PG 2021 and all other medical examinations across the medical institutions, all the PG medical students were asked to continue their services as resident doctors until a fresh batch of MBBS graduates joins to serve, according to the recent advisory released by NMC. The decision had been taken to ensure that there would not be any shortage of Residents to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also Read: PG Students can continue as Residents until fresh batch joins: NMC

In fact, taking note of the "extraordinary situation" due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the Central Government had also directed all the medical colleges and hospitals operative under the central government to extend the services of the Postgraduate resident doctors until the fresh batch of students join the institutes. The notice by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) was issued to all Central Government medical colleges and hospitals including Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital.

The letter by Assistant Director General (ME) & Nodal Officer of Central Residency Scheme had earlier stated, "I am directed to refer to the advisory of MCI (No. MCI-23(1)/2020/Med./201868 dated 7^th April, 2020) regarding the extension of service of Final year PG students scheduled to appear in the Final University Examination by two months or till the first year PG's of 2020 batch join the institute (whichever is earlier) in view of the extraordinary situation due to outbreak of Covid-19 Pandemic leading to postponement of the NEET PG Examination 2021."

Also Read: Govt issues Extension of Service of PG resident doctors in Central Medical colleges till Joining of Fresh batch

A few days later, the Prime Minister's Office announced its decision to postpone NEET-PG for at least 4 months and utilize the services of fresh pass-outs for COVID duties.

The PMO release further mentioned that the services of Final Year PG Students (broad as well as super-specialties) as residents may continue to be utilized until fresh batches of PG Students have joined.