India considers deployment of medical interns in Covid management duties

New Delhi: In a bid to increase availability of human resources and reduce the workload on medical personnel, the Government of India might deploy medical interns and final-year MBBS students in the fight against the novel coronavirus. If deployed, interns would handle Covid management duties while final-year students would be engaged in tele-consultation roles and to monitor mild cases, the Prime Minister’s Office said in its statement.

Both interns and students will be allowed to work only work under the supervision of senior doctors or faculty members. Nurses with B.Sc or GNM (General Nursing & Midwife) degrees or certifications might also be deployed on Covid duties under the supervision of senior doctors or nurses.

The centre has postponed the NEET-PG medical entrance exam again for a second time. Candidates will be given a month’s notice before it is held. The centre said this decision was taken to make qualified doctors and medical students available for Covid duties.

Centre has also promised that those medical personnel who complete 100 days of Covid duties will get the Prime Minister’s Distinguished Covid National Service Samman and will be given priority when they apply for government posts.