New Delhi: Covid hospitals allowed to rope in BDS doctors, MBBS students and interns

"In view of the surge of COVID pandemic and to meet the demand of increased manpower, the Medical Directors/ Medical Superintendents/ Directors of all COVID Hospitals of Govt. of NCT of Delhi are authorized to engage 4th and 5th-year MBBS students, Interns and BDS pass Doctors as per the provisions of order No. 52/DGHS/PH-IV/COVID-19/2020/ss4hfw/1144 dated 18.11.2020 issued by this Department", read the order by the Delhi government.

Sharing the copy of the order, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain wrote on Twitter, "In order to meet the increased demand for manpower during the ongoing pandemic, all Delhi Govt hospitals are directed to engage 4th & 5th-year MBBS students, interns and BDS doctors."

"The situation demands all hands on deck, and we hope to fight this surge soon," he added.

ANI adds that India on Saturday reported 1,45,384 new COVID-19 cases which is the highest daily spike in cases since the outbreak of the pandemic.

In Delhi, where a night curfew is in place, 7,897 new COVID-19 cases were reported, along with 5,716 recoveries and 39 deaths.

Delhi Government has started implementing several steps to deal with the situation. In another Tweet, Minister Jain wrote about extending the tenures of SRs/JRs by 6 months.

"To combat the rising Covid cases in Delhi & meet the demand of medical personnel, the tenure of presently working SRs/JRs will be extended for 6 months. In addition, candidates will be hired for the vacant posts," he mentioned.