Reservation In MBBS, BDS Seats For Children Of 'Covid Warriors' To Honour Their Sacrifice; Know All About It

Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan announced this decision on Thursday. Know all about the reservation for childrenof 'Covid Warriors' and who all are included in the category as per GOI.

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New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Thursday announced its decision to have a reservation for children of "Covid Warriors" in admissions for medical seats. A new category titled 'Wards of Covid Warriors' has been made for the selection and nomination of candidates under the Central pool for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery(MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery(BDS) seats in the coming academic year.  Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan was interacting with the media to announce this decision on Thursday. According to the Health Ministry, five Central Pool seats have been reserved for this category for the year 2020-21. The selection of candidates will be made by the Medical Council Committee (MCC) through online application on the basis of rank obtained in the NEET-2020 conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

"This move aims to dignify and honor the noble contribution made by the Covid warriors in the treatment and management of Covid patients. This will honour the solemn sacrifice of all Covid warriors who served with selfless dedication for the cause of duty and humanity," a statement from the ministry quoting the Health Minister said. "The Central pool MBBS seats may be allocated for selection and nominations of candidates from amongst the wards of Covid warriors, who have lost life due to the coronavirus, or died accidentally on account of Covid-related duty," the statement added.

Who All Are Categorised As Covid Warriors? The definition of a Covid warrior has been laid down by the Government of India. Following people can be categorised under the umbrella, as announced by the Health Ministery: All private hospital staff and retired, volunteer, local urban bodies, contracted, daily wage, ad-hoc and outsourced staff requisitioned by states, central or autonomous hospitals of Central/states/UTs, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Institutes of National Importance (INIs) or hospitals of Central Ministries drafted for Covid-19 related responsibilities. As for the states and union territories, the health minister said that their respective governments will certify the eligibility for this category. The Health Minister has also announced a Rs 50 lakh insurance package for these frontline warriors. WATCH | Haryana HM Anil Vij volunteers for Corona vaccine trial