In a high-level review meeting, PM Narendra Modi today decided to allow deployment of medical interns in Covid management duties under the supervision of their faculty, as part of the internship rotation. The decision came after the government decided to utilise medical students as appropriate resources for the rising coronavirus cases across the country.
“This will reduce the workload on existing doctors engaged in Covid duty and provide a boost to efforts of triaging,” the statement read.
“The services of final year MBBS students can be utilized for providing services like tele-consultation and monitoring of mild Covid cases after due orientation by and under supervision of faculty,” the government release mentioned. The following service of the MBBS students will reduce the workload on existing doctors engaged in Covid duty, it added.
The government likewise decided to delay NEET-PG exam for at least four months and will not be held before August 31. Students will also be given at least one month of time after the announcement of the exam before it is conducted. This will make a large number of qualified doctors available for Covid duties,” the release mentioned.
The students who will offer assistance in Covid management will be given priority in impending regular government enrollments after they complete a minimum of 100 days of Covid duty. The students will likewise be priority in vaccination and will be covered under the health scheme for workers engaged in fighting Covid-19.
The medical professionals will also receive Prime Minister’s Distinguished Covid National Service Samman.
Earlier, The Central Government had issued guidelines on June 16 to promote 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, as per the release.
