MBBS Final Year Students On COVID-19 Duty To Get 100 Rupees Per Day:Himachal Pradesh Govt

Final year MBBS students will now be paid 100 rupees per day, for being on COVID-19 duty. This will amount to a monthly sum of 3,000 rupees.

A notification regarding the same was released by the Himachal Pradesh government, and will also apply for fourth-year students, contractual doctors, Jr./Sr. residents. However, nursing students, contractual lab staff, GNM 3rd year students will be paid Rs 1500 per month. "The expenditure borne will be meted out of SDMA/ SDRF," the notification added.

100 rupees per day to MBBS final year students on #COVID19 duty. pic.twitter.com/bCtZVN8WcR

— Runjhun Sharma (@Runjhunsharmas) May 4, 2021

Many people have already shown their disapproval towards the menial amount being offered to them. Many have said that doctors and the entire healthcare staff had been working hard to fight against the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One user wrote that the monthly incentive being offered to these students is even lower than the wages earned by an unskilled labourer.

Himachal Pradesh decides to deploy 4th year MBBS students at 3,000 per month which is 100 rupees per day, 250 rupees less than the minimum wage of an unskilled labour. What a shame. pic.twitter.com/AaQYCkAiaw

— The Witty Doctor (@thewittydoctor_) May 4, 2021

Another user complimented the Himachal Pradesh government for this initiative, but strongly condemned the money being offered to medical students.

I complement the CM @jairamthakurbjp of Himachal who has decided to deploy 4th year MBBS students into #COVIDEmergencyIndia services in the state also nursing & other staff.
Where special grants are been given for working in this situation. I request you To pay DC rates atleast. pic.twitter.com/6WOMuDlGu0

— Raman Malik (@ramanmalik) May 4, 2021

One final year MBBS student reacted to the incentive by saying that's offering 100 rupees per day is highly ridiculous. “We don’t have a problem in working at the Covid-care facilities but Rs 100 per day is highly ridiculous as even daily wages for the unskilled labour is between Rs 320 to Rs 355 depending upon the area of work”, said the final year student.

MBBS students deployed for teleconsultation

About two days ago, the government decided to rope in final year MBBS students as COVID warriors. They added that if these students complete 100 days of COVID duty, they will be given priority for various government posts. This move has been announced in a bid to decrease the workload on all the medical staff working right now.

The centre also added that MBBS students will be deployed for teleconsultation and monitoring of mild Covid cases after due orientation under the faculty’s supervision.