SC proposes ‘grace marks’ for NEET-PG candidates to incentivize them to join Covid duty

On Thursday, the Supreme Court highlighted the fatigue that health workers on Covid-19 duty are experiencing. The current and expected shortages of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff was addressed by Justice Chandrachud.

Existing healthcare workers have been on duty at the front lines since March of last year, he added with the new boom, it was only reasonable to expect a higher demand for healthcare staff.

He noted, "There is no way today that we have the number of health professionals in our medical infrastructure to be able to meet the ongoing second surge and a potential third wave. No country in the world can meet such a demand.”

NEET-PG applicants who have yet to appear in the exam could be included with the current health workers, according to the Supreme Court. There exist 1.5 lakh doctors who have finished their medical education and internship waiting to take the NEET exam.

The NEET-PG was delayed due to a lack of medical staff as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. Furthermore, the PMO declared that medical staff who have completed 100 days of Covid duty would be given preference in future government recruitment. Under the guidance of their supervisors, medical interns would be assigned to Covid management duties.

Under the guidance of the faculty, all final year MBBS students should be used for teleconsultation and surveillance of moderate Covid events.

Under supervision of senior health workers, BSc/GNM accredited nurses will be included in full-time Covid nursing duties. The Prime Minister's Distinguished Covid National Service Samman will be awarded to medical staff who complete 100 days of Covid duty.

The Bench called for incentivizing the aspect of joining the workforce for the medical students, they suggested makes use of non-monetary based incentives such as ‘grace marks’.

Justice Chandrachud pointed out, "The most important thing is missing here...incentive in the form of grace marks in the NEET PG course. Money won't help. People won’t stir out in these Covid times.”