Additional doctors, including specialists, super specialists and paramedics, have already been deployed at various hospitals

Four hundred ex-Army Medical Corps (AMC) and Short-Service Commission (SSC) medical officers, released between 2017 and 2021, are expected to be recruited on a contract basis to shore up the countrywide battle against Covid-19.

The Ministry of Defence has issued an order to Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DG AFMS) for their recruitment for a maximum period of 11 months.

According to a statement issued by the ministry on Sunday, this is part of a series of steps to mobilise additional manpower to assist the civil administration to tide over the current COVID-19 situation.

The AFMS has already deployed additional doctors, including specialists, super specialists and paramedics, at various hospitals, including the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) COVID hospital in Delhi.

At the same time, Short Service Commissioned doctors of AFMS have been granted extension till December 31, 2021. This has augmented the strength by 238 more doctors.

Medical professionals, recently retired from AFMS, have also been redeployed to further bolster the work force of health professionals.

In addition to this, ex-Defence doctors have been roped in to provide online free consultation on e-Sanjeevani OPD to all citizens of the country. The service can be availed on the website https://esanjeevaniopd.in/.

Additional contractual staff has also been temporarily hired in 51 high pressure Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) polyclinics for night duty for three months to cater to the veterans and their dependents.

The defence ministry order on ex-AMC and SSC medical offficers issued on Saturday says a fixed monthly lump sum amount will be admissible by deducting the basic pension from the salary drawn at the time of retirement plus specialist pay wherever applicable.

The amount would remain unchanged for the term of the contract and no other allowances would be paid. The medical officers to be recruited are required to be medically fit as per civilian standards, the order specifies.