Final-Year MBBS, Nursing Students Called For Covid-19 Duty

NEW DELHI: Medical students may be roped in to boost India’s response to the coronavirus crisis, government sources said on Sunday after a meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review efforts to contain the surge in COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed the country and its healthcare system.

The Prime Minister reviewed ways to augment human resources for effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, sources said following the meeting that was attended by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, the Health Secretary and other officials.

“In the meeting, many steps to incentivize students and pass-outs of medical and nursing courses to join Covid duty were taken, details of which will come out tomorrow,” sources said.

“Decisions may include delaying NEET and incentivising MBBS pass-outs studying for it to join Covid duty. The decisions may also include utilizing services of final year MBBS and nursing students in Covid Duty. Those medical personnel doing Covid duty will be given preference in government recruitment as well as a financial incentive,” they added.

The meeting came amid reports of healthcare personnel feeling overwhelmed in some parts of the country due to the surge in the COVID-19 cases, with testing facilities also strained. (AGENCY)