Hosps with 20+ beds to be training insts to tackle 3rd wave

Nagpur: Registered hospitals in the district, having more than 20 beds, would turn into ‘vocational training institutes’ from June 1 for job aspirants, between the age group of 15-45, wanting to join the booming healthcare sector in the run up to the third wave of Covid pandemic.
Around 55 courses in healthcare, para-medical support, nursing, domestic medical worker and driving would be provided free of cost to the job aspirants followed by issuance of completion certificate. The scheme has been drawn up following an advisory issued by the central government’s skill India initiative.
The state government, through department of skill development, employment and entrepreneurship, has launched the dual-purpose scheme through ‘Chief Minister Mahaarogya Kaushalya Vikas Prashiskhan Karyakram’ for creating a pool of trained manpower like oxygen technicians, operation theatre assistants etc, who would be ready to handle responsibilities during the projected third wave later this year. This will also provide job opportunities in the pandemic-hit economy.
Collector Ravindra Thakare, accompanied by assistant commissioner, skill development, employment and entrepreneurship, PG Harde, Vidarbha Hospitals Association (VHA) president Dr Anup Marar and Indian Medical Association (IMA) president Dr Sanjay Deotale, said during a press conference on Friday that administration aims to induct educated, but unemployed, segment of the population into the mainstream of the health sector where skilled manpower would be required to face the challenges of the forthcoming Covid third wave.
Harde said all hospitals can directly empanel and affiliate with Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) through it’s website and upload their requirements of manpower. “State government has created a green channel facility for hospitals which can immediately start training as soon as candidates are available and ready for the specific courses,” he said.
Dr Marar said every hospital would get some amount per candidate for training from which the trainee can be given some conveyance amount. “Even existing staffers can get certificates on ‘recognition of prior learning’ basis,” he said.