THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Setting the stage for the admission of the second batch of MBBS students at the Government Medical College, Paripally at Kollam, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued the renewal permission order for MBBS course for the 2018-19 academic year.
In February the Centre had directed the Medical Council of India (MCI) to reconsider its decision that disallowed GMC from carrying out admission for the 2018-19 academic year. “The order clearly states that the permission is valid for only one year. For the next batch of MBBS students a new renewal order will have to be issued,” said an officer with the Health Department.
At the same time, K Somaprasad, MP, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, said that as per existing provisions the GMC will have to contribute 15 per cent of the seats towards all India quota and if it violates the same the admission will be treated as irregular and action will be initiated against it under the IMC Act and Regulations.
It was during one of the discussions at Lok Sabha in February that Minister of State (MoS) for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey informed N K Premachandran, MP, that a direction has been given to MCI to review its decision.
‘No deficiency in facility’
The minister had stated the Central government had constituted a Hearing Committee and it had come out with the observation that the MCI, which indicated a marginal deficiency of Residents in its inspection, had not pointed out any deficiency in faculty and thus has been directed to review its earlier recommendation.
The minister further added that as the GMC/state government submitted an affidavit with the committee that the deficiencies have been rectified the very recommendation of debarring the GMC for carrying out admission needs to be reviewed. The MCI which carried out an inspection at the GMC pointed out 10 deficiencies including: shortage of Residents, unavailability of a separate casualty for Obstetrics and Gynecology, the absence of intensive care units and pediatric intensive care unit, the absence of mobile X-ray machine for general use and others.
The MCI has also found that only two major operation theatres were functional against the requirement of four, the absence of approval from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board for any X-ray machines, unavailability of kitchen facilities for patients and no food being supplied. With the Health Ministry granting permission for the second batch, it will provide an ample opportunity for the children of cashew and fish workers to avail medical education at affordable costs.