Today, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan, announced the government’s decision to introduce a new category named “wards of Covid warriors” under central pool MBBS/BDS seats for the academic year 2020-21 as a tribute to the frontline Covid warriors.
The Health Ministry has approved the new category for selection and nomination of candidates aiming to honour the noble contributions made by Covid warriors in the treatment and management of Covid patients. The Health Minister said, “This will honour the solemn sacrifice of all Covid warriors who served with selfless dedication for the cause of duty and humanity.”
The minister made it clear that the selection of candidates will be made by the Medical Council Committee (MCC) solely through online application based on ranks secured in the NEET-2020 conducted by National Testing Agency. The Central pool MBBS/BDS seats will be allocated only to candidates from the wards of “Covid warriors,” who have lost life due to COVID 19, or died accidentally because of Covid-19-related duty. The State/UT government will certify the eligibility for this category.
The minister added, “Covid warriors are all public healthcare providers including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of Covid-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this. Private hospital staff and retired/volunteer/ local urban bodies/ contracted/ daily wage/ ad-hoc/ outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Central hospitals/ autonomous hospitals of Central/ States/UTs, AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance (INIs)/ hospitals of Central Ministries drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities are all included.”
