Wards of COVID Warriors

New Delhi: In its endeavour to dignify and honour the noble contribution made by the COVID Warriors in treatment and management of COVID patients across the country, the Health Ministry has introduced a new category called 'Wards of COVID Warriors' under which the kin of Covid-19 warriors will be granted MBBS and BDS admissions this academic year.

The category comes in subject to the guidelines for selection and nomination of candidates against Central Pool MBBS seats for the academic Year 2020-21.

As per a statement from the Health Ministry, five MBBS seats have been reserved under the central pool under the category.

Announcing the effect, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare stated, "This will honour the Solemn Sacrifice of all COVID warriors who served with selfless dedication for the cause of duty and humanity".

Central Pool MBBS seats may be allocated for selection and nominations of the candidates from amongst the wards of "COVID Warriors", who have lost life due to COVID 19; or died accidently on account of COVID 19 related duty.

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Reminding everyone that the definition of COVID Warrior has been laid down by Government of India while announcing the insurance package of ₹50 lakhs for them, the Minister said, "COVID Warriors are all public healthcare providers including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this. Private hospital staff and retired/volunteer/ local urban bodies/ contracted/ daily wage/ ad-hoc/ outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Central hospitals/ autonomous hospitals of Central/ States/UTs, AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance (INIs)/ hospitals of Central Ministries drafted for COVID-19 related responsibilities are all included." He added that the State/UT Government will certify the eligibility for this category.

Five (05) Central Pool MBBS seats have been reserved for this Category for the year 2020-21.

The Health minister has also made an official declaration on his Twitter handle and posted:

#CoronaWarriors के योगदान को इतिहास कभी भुला नहीं पाएगा। इनके योगदान को नमन् करते हुए @MoHFW_INDIA ने Central Pool की 5 MBBS seats Corona Warriors के लिए आरक्षित करने का निर्णय किया है।

सरकार का यह क़दम कोरोना योद्धाओं के प्रति मोदी सरकार की प्रतिबद्धता को दर्शता है।@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/UOAGNAY9od

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 National Testing Agency.