New Delhi, May 04: Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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 2021 for at least 4 months and the exam will not be held before 31st August 2021. Students will also be given at least 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.

Postponement of NEET-PG for at least 4 months: Considering the current situation in the wake of resurgence of COVID - 19, NEET (PG) - 2021 has been postponed. This Exam will not be held before 31st August 2021. At least one-month time will be given after the announcement of the Examination before it is conducted.

The State/UT Governments are to make all efforts to reach out to each such prospective NEET candidates and request them to join the Covid - 19 workforce in this hour of need. The services of these MBBS doctors can be utilized in the management of COVID - 19. The State/UT Governments may now also deploy Medical Interns in Covid Management 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 Covid cases after due orientation by and under supervision of Faculty.

Continuation of services of Final year PGs : 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. Likewise, the services of the senior residents / registrars may continue to be utilized until new recruitments are made.

Nursing personnel : 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. 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.

The services of Allied Health Care professionals may be utilized for assistance in Covid Management, based on their training and certification.

The additional human resource thus mobilized will be used only in facilities managing Covid.

It was also decided to allow deployment of Medical Interns in Covid Management 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 Covid cases after due orientation by and under supervision of Faculty. This will reduce the workload on existing doctors engaged in Covid duty 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 Covid nursing duties under the supervision of Senior Doctors and Nurses.

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.

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.

Full details of the key decisions were taken :

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

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 maximize manpower availability.