Odisha to train MBBS students to manage Coronavirus cases

Bhubaneswar - Aiming to meet the shortage of doctors in the state during the coronavirus epidemic, the Odisha government has recently decided to give extensive training to MBBS students so that they can be deployed to combat the coronavirus cases.

"Considering the dearth of doctors, it has been decided that the 7th, 8th & 9th Semester MBBS students of all medical colleges will be trained who could be deployed in case a need arises," an order issued by Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy stated. The Odisha government has also decided to train both government and private doctors.

The government will impart training to MBBS students of the government establishments in the first phase. The private medical colleges will also be required to train the doctors and students simultaneously.

"It is also necessary to train the medical community... doctors, paramedics and others who will be involved in the direct management of the patients in the COVID-19 hospitals and isolation wards of various health facilities," said the chief secretary.

Senior IAS officers Anu Garg and Bhupendra Singh Poonia have been appointed for handling the assignment.

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Clutching to all hands-on deck approach in the medical fraternity's battle against ongoing deadly coronavirus (COVID) epidemic, the Union Health Ministry and Medical Council of India (MCI) are considering to expand the healthcare force by primarily by increasing the young manpower. The authorities are mulling for a provisional permit to 5th-year MBBS medicos who are set to get their UG degree as well as the retired but practising medical practitioners so to handle the COVID 19 cases.

Certain sources from the ministry have informed media that Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has asked Niti Aayog member Dr V K Paul, who also heads the Board of Governors in supersession of MCI (MCI BoG), to review the said proposal.

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