Now IAS, IPS Officers With Medical Qualifications To Be Roped In Covid-19 Battle Amid Rising Strain On Health Infra: Sources

Realising the need for administrative and medical expertise in the overstrained healthcare sector, the Ministry of personnel is preparing a database of those civil services officers who have medical academic background, sources have revealed.

(PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore)

New Delhi: As the cases of novel coronavirus continue to surge rapidly in India, the Centre is looking into roping in the civil service officers with medical qualifications in health infrastructure, which is overstrained due to the pandemic, sources have revealed. Amid the proliferation of covid-19 cases with around 10,000 new cases everyday, the need for administrators with medical qualifications, was realized by the Centre. As per  the sources the Ministry of Personnel is creating a database of civil service officers with medical qualifications to deploy them in front-line hospitals to manage and deal with the crisis. A senior health ministry official, told ABP News that there is a plan to deploy such officers only in hospitals dealing with Covid-19 cases. The list will include those IAS, IPS & other bureaucrats who studied medical and atleast have an MBBS degree. However, it is not yet clear that  whether these officers will be directly asked to provide the services of doctors. It is likely that initially these officers are to be deployed in management and coordination in the hospitals treating Corona, but they can also be asked to appear in their doctor's role if needed later. Watch here: Amid the pressure on the healthcare sector, the Ministry of Personnel has recognized the importance of officials who have administrative as well as medical expertise. The initiative comes at a time when the rising rising Coronavirus cases in the country, has led to an increased pressure on the healthcare facilities which is dealing with a spurt in the demand for beds, ventilators, isolation wards, and oxygen cylinders. Shortage of manpower is another issue being faced by the sector. The doctors-turned administrators may be pivotal in efficient management at the frontline.