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

New Delhi: In an attempt to further augment the manpower to fight the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic, the government has announced that the services of final year MBBS students can be utilised for providing services like teleconsultation and monitoring of mild Covid cases after due orientation by faculty.

It was decided to allow deployment of these Medical Interns in Covid Management duties under the supervision of their faculty, as part of the Internship rotation.

"This will reduce the workload on existing doctors engaged in Covid duty and provide a boost to efforts of triaging," a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office said.

This decision is one of the major slew of announcements made by the PMO today. The Prime Minister reviewed the growing need for adequate human resources for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and many important decisions were taken which will significantly boost the availability of medical personnel in Covid duty.

Decisions include the postponement of NEET-PG for at least 4 months & the exam will not be held before 31st August 2021. Students will also be given at least one month after the announcement of the exam before it is conducted. This will make a large number of qualified doctors available for Covid duties.

The services of Final Year PG Students (broad as well as super-specialities) as residents may continue to be utilized until fresh batches of PG Students have joined.

B.Sc./GNM Qualified Nurses may be utilized in full-time Covid nursing duties under the supervision of Senior Doctors and Nurses.

The medical students/professionals sought to be engaged in Covid related work will be suitably vaccinated. All Health professionals thus engaged will be covered under the Insurance Scheme of Government for health workers engaged in fighting Covid 19.

Doctors, nurses and allied professionals form the backbone of covid management and are also the frontline personnel. Their presence in adequate strength is critical to address the needs of the patients well. The stellar work and deep commitment of the medical community were taken note of.

The Central Government had issued guidelines on 16th June 2020 to facilitate engagement of Doctors/Nurses for Covid duties. A special Rs. 15,000 crore Public Health Emergency Support was provided by the Central Government to ramp up facilities and human resources for Covid management. Engaging personnel through the National Health Mission, an additional 2206 specialists, 4685 medical officers and 25,593 staff nurses were recruited through this process.

The individuals providing services in Covid management will be given priority in forthcoming regular Government recruitments after they complete a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty. All such professionals who sign up for a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty and complete it successfully will also be given the Prime Minister's Distinguished Covid National Service Samman from the Government of India.

The release stated, "The National Health Mission (NHM) norm for contractual human resource engagement by States/UTs may be considered for implementation of the above-proposed initiative for engaging the additional manpower. Flexibility will be available with States to decide on remuneration as in NHM norms. A suitable honorarium for distinguished Covid Service may also be considered."

The medical students/professionals sought to be engaged in Covid related work will be suitably vaccinated. All Health professionals thus engaged will be covered under the Insurance Scheme of Government for health workers engaged in fighting Covid 19, added the PMO release.

It further said that state Governments can make available additional health professionals engaged through this process to private Covid Hospitals as well in surge areas. The vacant posts of doctors, nurses, allied professionals and other healthcare staff in Health and Medical departments be filled through accelerated processes within 45 days through contractual appointments, based on NHM norms.

The States/ UTs have been requested to consider the above incentives to maximise manpower availability.

Also Read: Karnataka to rope in final year MBBS, Nursing students, dentists, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Ayush Practitioners for COVID-19 duty