Ramping up its efforts in meeting the corona pandemic challenge, the Defence Ministry has ordered recruitment of ex-Army Medical Corps medical officers. Under the ‘Tour of Duty’ scheme, 400 ex-AMC or Short Service Commissions (SSC) medical officers, released between 2017 and 2021, are expected to be recruited on a contract basis for a maximum period of 11 months.
The order issued recently says 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.
It may be recalled that the Ministry has taken several steps to mobilise additional manpower to assist the civil administration to tide over the current Covid-19 situation. The Armed Force Medical Services(AFMS) has already deployed additional doctors, including specialists, super specialists and paramedics, at various hospitals, while SSC doctors of AFMS were granted extension till December 31, 2021, which 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.