Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Jan 18: As the COVID-19 cases surge across J&K and with doctors and paramedics testing positive for the infection at an alarming rate, the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar today deputed several MBBS undergraduates for COVID-19 mitigation.
As per details, at least 40 such doctors have been named in a list issued by the Principal GMC, Srinagar after the administrative approval for the same was granted by the Government.
An order issued in this regard stated that in view of a sudden spike in the COVID cases, the decision of deputing the medical undergraduates has been taken for which the NHM has approved, prompting the GMC to go ahead with the move.
An official privy to the developments said that while many from the existing staff across hospitals have tested positive for COVID-19, the rest of the staff has been getting over-stretched and to lessen their load, the measure of deploying the medical undergraduates have been taken.
“A similar measure was also taken last year where the MBBS students in their final year were deputed to mitigate the COVID-19 situation across hospitals and with the same kind of situation currently, the step has been taken,” the official said.
In this connection, 40 medical undergraduates have been roped in and engaged for a period of 3 months and have been directed to report to the HOD Chest Medicine, GMC Srinagar.
During the period, as per the order issued, the medical undergraduates engaged for the COVID-19 mitigation will be paid Rs 22,000/- per month as remuneration for their duties while the HOD Chest Medicine has been asked to check the certificates of the undergraduates before allowing them to join the duties.
Also, in the view of GMC, Srinagar employees testing positive of COVID-19, at least 7 employees from various departments were today transferred to the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry. Out of 7, 4 have been deputed to Microbiology while the rest have been asked to report to the Department of Biochemistry.
As per the order, the transfers have been made in view of an upsurge in COVID-19 and a sharp increase in the cases of employees, staff of various departments of GMC, Srinagar.
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