Six customized crash course programmes launched for Covid-19 frontline workers

Six customized crash course programmes for Covid-19 frontline workers were launched by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi via video conferencing. The Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, and many other Union Ministers, Ministers from States, experts and other stakeholders were also present on the occasion.

The training programme would be conducted in 111 training centres spread over 26 states. About one lakh frontline workers will be trained in this initiative. The courses are being designed by the top experts of the country as per the demands of the states and union territories. 

The training will be imparted to Covid warriors in six customised job roles such as Home Care Support, Basic Care Support, Advanced Care Support, Emergency Care Support, Sample Collection Support, and Medical Equipment Support.

This will include fresh skilling as well as upskilling of those who have some training in this type of work. This campaign will give fresh energy to the health sector frontline force and will also provide job opportunities to our youth.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said, “Covid-19 is still there and there is a strong possibility of the virus being mutated. Therefore, the country’s preparations have to be ramped up in order to combat new challenges. We are working towards preparing one lakh frontline workers in the country. The frontline workers will be immediately available and will act as a ‘trained sahayak’ to assist in the present arrangements and reduce the burden. Given the size of our population, it is necessary to keep increasing the number of doctors, nurses and paramedics in the health sector. Work has been done with a focused approach over the last seven years to start new AIIMS, new medical colleges and new nursing colleges. Similarly, reforms are being encouraged in medical education and related institutions. The seriousness and the pace at which the work on preparing the health professionals is going on now is unprecedented.”

The Prime Minister also added that health professionals like ASHA workers, ANM, Anganwadi and health workers deployed in the dispensaries in the villages are one of the strong pillars of our health sector and are often left out of the discussion. They are playing an important role in preventing infection to support the world’s largest vaccination campaign. He praised these health workers for their work during all the adversities for the safety of each and every countryman.

Also read: SAHI Samvaad – Right Skills for the Right Jobs in Healthcare https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/sahi-samvaad-right-skills-for-the-right-jobs-in-healthcare/

The programme aims to create skilled non-medical healthcare workers. It has been designed as a special programme under the Central Component of PMKVY 3.0, with an investment of Rs. 276 crore.