BSc, GNM Qualified Nurses to be deployed for full-time Covid nursing duties

New Delhi: In an attempt to deal with the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister's Office has decided to utilize the BSc/GNM Qualified Nurses, and the final year GNM/ BSc nursing students for full-time Covid duties. Those nurses will be working under the supervision of Senior Doctors and Nurses.

Apart from the B.Sc./GNM Nurses, the PMO has further announced that the services of M.Sc. Nursing students, Post basic B.Sc. (N), and Post basic Diploma nursing students may also be utilized to deal with the rising number of Covid-19 patients in the country.

"B.Sc./GNM Qualified Nurses may be utilized in full-time Covid nursing duties in ICU, etc., under the supervision of Senior Doctors and Nurses. M.Sc. Nursing students, Post basic B.Sc. (N) and Post basic Diploma nursing students are Registered Nursing Officers and their services can be utilized to take care of COVID- 19 patients as per the Hospital protocols/policies," said the recent release by PMO.

"Final Year GNM or B.Sc. (Nursing) students awaiting Final Exam may also be given full-time Covid Nursing duties at various Government/Private facilities under the supervision of Senior Faculty," it added.

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.

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.