After the Delhi state department, last week directed authorities to involve medical students and interns as COVID warriors, hospitals and teaching institutes under the Delhi government have started working on the same to ensure better management of the coronavirus situation in the national capital.

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However, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) raised an objection on the same and in a letter to Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday, highlighted how students and interns are not qualified enough to treat COVID patients.

“Undergraduate students are not skilled enough yet to be posted for Covid duties. They are still under training to acquire necessary clinical skills and are at higher risk of contracting the infection. Unfortunately, neither have there been adequate steps for recruitment of qualified doctors nor have undergraduate medical students undergone any special training to work in such unforeseen circumstances,” the letter read.

“In view of…increased demand for ICU beds and medical HR in hospitals of (Delhi government) for management of Covid-19, all directors … are permitted to engage 4th and 5th year MBBS students, interns, and BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) pass to assist the duty doctors,” an order from the special secretary (health) SM Ali issued on Wednesday read.

The medical students, interns, or dentists who are hired will be paid Rs 1,000 for an 8-hour shift and Rs 2,000 for a 12-hour shift. The interns will receive this “honorarium” over and above their stipend. It is difficult to work longer hours with the personal protective equipment, the order read.