Punjab allows superannuating specialist doctors to continue services

Member Health, NITI Aayog, Dr V K Paul said that the study conducted on the healthcare workers about vaccination suggests that chances of hospitalization reduce by 75 to 80 per cent after vaccination when an individual is infected from Coronavirus. He said, the possibility of oxygen requirement is around 8 per cent after infection and the risk of ICU admission is only 6 per cent after vaccination. He said, the study clearly shows that the vaccination provides protection from the serious infection. Dr Paul also said that WHO-AIIMS survey shows seropositivity in persons below and above 18 years of age is almost equal. In urban areas, it is 78 per cent in persons below 18 years of age and 79 per cent in above 18. He said, In rural areas, the seropositivity rate is 56 per cent in persons below 18 years of age and 63 per cent in persons above 18. The information shows that the children were infected but it was very mild and only isolated cases of infection may occur in children during the 3rd wave of COVID. He said, all efforts will be made to protect the children by providing child specific treatment services with the help of public and private healthcare services.

-The Union Health Ministry has written to all the States and UTs asking them to undertake a detailed review and ensure prompt and necessary steps are taken for the safety of healthcare workers and their well being besides strict implementation of the amended Epidemic Disease Act. Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal has written to the States following some reports of incidents of physical violence against doctors and healthcare workers in Assam, West Bengal and Karnataka. In the letter, Agarwal said that such incidents impact the morale of our healthcare workforce who have shown exemplary commitment against all odds in COVID-19 management. He said, the Government of India has taken a number of initiatives for ensuring the safety and security of healthcare workers. On, 22nd  April, 2020, Union Health Ministry had issued an ordinance to duly amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, providing protection to healthcare personnel and their property during epidemics. 

-Punjab Government has decided to allow Specialist Doctors of Medicine, Anesthesia and TB & Chest to continue their services, after their superannuation on completion of 58 years of age, till March 31, 2022 on clinical posts to tackle the emergent situation of COVID-19 pandemic. The move is aimed at ensuring effective management of COVID isolation facilities in the State.The decision was taken at a Punjab Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who said the services of these doctors were required to ensure timely and proper treatment to the patients.The Cabinet also granted post facto approval for extending the services of nine para-medical employees belonging to Group-C who are retiring in May 2021 and June 2021 in Government Medical Colleges at Patiala and Amritsar.Cabinet also cleared the extension to 184 posts, approved under ‘POSHAN ABHIYAAN’ (National Nutrition Mission), till June 30, 2021. The Cabinet authorised the Minister-in-charge of Social Security and Women & Child Development department to grant any further extension as per the instructions of the Government of India.

-Giving a fresh impetus to the recruitment process which had slowed down due to COVID pandemic, Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has approved the proposal of recruitment of 800 Sub Inspectors in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.In a historic reform aimed at ensuring more transparency and fairness in the overall recruitment process, the Lt Governor also approved the selection process of all Non-Gazetted level posts in all the three departments-Police, Prisons and Fire & Emergency Services departments through the Services Selection Board (SSB).

-The Regional Office of Food Corporation of India in Rajasthan has broken all the records of procurement of wheat on minimum support price. 22.31 lakh metric tonnes of wheat has been procured by the corporation in the state so far, which is all time high procurement in the history. Despite the impact of the Covid epidemic, the corporation had set a record of procurement 22. 25 lakh thousand metric tonnes of wheat in the state last year. That record has been broken on Friday. General Manager of corporation, Sanjeev Bhaskar told that 2 lakh 15 thousand farmers have been benefited and digital payment of more than Rs 3 thousand 700 crore has been made so far.