The individuals providing services in COVID management will be given priority in forthcoming regular Government recruitments after they complete minimum of 100 days of COVID duty. It is one of the key decision taken by the Centre. The Prime Minister reviewed the growing need of adequate human resources for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country today. Many important decisions were taken which will significantly boost availability of medical personnel in COVID duty.

 

A decision was taken to postpone NEET-PG for at least 4 months & the exam will not be held before 31st August 2021. Students will also be given atleast one month of time after announcement of exam before it is conducted. This will make a large number of qualified doctors available for COVID duties.

It was also decided to allow deployment of Medical Interns in COVIDManagement duties under the supervision of their faculty, as part of the Internship rotation. The services of Final Year MBBS students can be utilized for providing services like tele-consultation and monitoring of mild COVIDcases after due orientation by and under supervision of Faculty. This will reduce the workload on existing doctors engaged in COVIDduty and provide boost to efforts of triaging.

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 COVIDnursing 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.

All such professionals who sign up for minimum 100 days of COVID duty and complete it successfully will also be given the Prime Minister’s Distinguished COVID National Service Samman from Government of India.

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 was taken note of.

The Central Government had issued guidelines on 16th June2020 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.

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.