The details of manpower deployed for supporting civil hospitals in management of COVID-19 is as follows:

• Medical Officer & Specialists              -602
• Nurses                                               - 224
• Paramedics                                        - 1802

236 Short Service Commission officers, who were due for release on completion of period of engagement were granted extension in view of the pandemic.

Also, Government approved a scheme called ‘Tour of Duty’ for recruitment of   Ex-Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Medical Officers and Ex-Military Nursing Service (MNS) officers released from service since 2017 on contractual basis.

Response to the “Tour of Duty” offered to retired doctors of three Services to re-join and perform duties for COVID relief has been gradual and is entirely based on the dynamic need and severity of COVID Pandemic, which is now on the decline.

The Armed Forces Medical Services deployed technical manpower in terms of Physicians, Anaesthestists, Post Graduate Residents, Medical Officers, Hospital Administrators, Nurses and Para Medical Staff on COVID-19 patient care duties.

Further, veterans’ services were utilized for providing tele-consultation on e-Sanjeevani platform. Total 100 AFMS veterans were registered on the portal and have provided over 22000 tele-consultations.

The state authorities provided support in terms of services such as security, fire fighting, bio-medical waste management, mortuary services, referral and ambulance services etc. They also played an important role in ensuring oxygen supply, pre-fabricated hangers for patient housing and all medical equipment necessary for patient care.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shrimati Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Lok Sabha today.

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ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/RP

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