Himachal Govt to pay Rs 3000 monthly incentive to MBBS interns on COVID duty

However, the incentive plan didn't work out well as many have started protesting against the menial amount offered to the doctors and healthcare staff fighting against the pandemic from the front row amid the surging COVID cases coupled with an acute shortage of doctors and healthcare workers in the country.

The notification dated 03.05.2021, issued by the Department of Medical Education & Research (DMER) of Himachal Pradesh, stated the monthly amount offered as incentives to final year medical students, doctors, and other healthcare workers. While the MBBS students, contractual doctors, and resident doctors would be given Rs 3000, the nursing students and other healthcare staff would get Rs 1,500 as incentives.

Also Read: PMO calls for Utililising Final year MBBS students for Teleconsultation, monitoring of mild Covid cases under Faculty supervision

The DMER order by Secretary (Health) Amitabh Awasthy, mentioned that "Consequent upon the spread of 2nd wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the State, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh is pleased to order that following incentive shall be granted to the Doctor's/ staff/ students, etc.(including contractual staff) who have been deployed for COVID-19 duties in various Govt. Medical Colleges/ Hospitals /dedicated & COVID centers/ Hospitals till 30.06.2021 as under:-

1.4th & 5th year of MBBS students = Rs 3,000/- per month.

2.Contractual Doctors(MOs) = Rs 3,000/- per month.

3.Nursing students = Rs 1,500/- per month.

4.Jr./Sr. Residents = Rs 3,000/- per month.

5.Contractual lab staff = Rs 1,500/- per month.

6.GNM 3rd year students = Rs 1,500/- per month."

"The expenditure borne will be met out of SDMA/ SDRF," the notification added.