Conversion of PG Diploma to MD, MS seats: Goa Medical College makes applications in advance

The information to this effect was announced by the Medical College's Dean Dr S M Bandekar who recently stated to TOI that tally of MD and MS seats for the academic year 2020-21 will increase as they have made their requests well in advance.

Medical Dialogues team had last year reported about the public notice issued by the Union Health Ministry giving an opportunity to medical colleges to take advantage of the scheme proposed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) which decided to stop all MCI recognised Post-Graduate diploma courses in Medical colleges and give an equal number of MD/MS seats in return.

Read Also: Conversion of PG Diploma Seats to MD, MS seats: Ministry of Health issues notice

Following the announcement of this one time opportunity, the majority of the states rushed at the chance to get additional PG degree seats. However, Goa Medical College with its 26 PG diploma seats had missed the bus consequently leading to major condemnation from its MBBS students.

Read Also; Conversion of PG Diploma to MD, MS seats: Goa Medical College loses 22 seats, students see red

When asked for clarification as to why an opportunity like this was wasted, the administration stated that there was a fear of losing the seats on up-gradation in case any deficiencies were observed later.

The diploma seats ranged in a number of specialisations including radiology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, preventive and social medicine, anaesthesia and gynaecology that could have been upgraded.

Taking consideration of the matter, an inquiry was initiated following which the authorities observed that the conversion window was missed allegedly due to the "lethargic approach" of then Dean Dr Naik. Accordingly, for the time being, Dr S M Bandekar who is an Orthopaedic surgeon and a Medical Superintendent had been chosen by the health department to take charge of Dean.

Read Also: Goa Medical College Misses Bus To Convert PG Diploma Seats; Dean Relieved For Committing SERIOUS Lapses

Later, in an effort to compensate the major slip, the Goa Medical College sent a proposal to get recognition of its 50 PG medical seats to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry after the MCI modified its guidelines regarding the student-faculty ratio.

Read Also: After Missing PG Diploma Seats Conversion, Goa Medical College Applies For 50 PG Degree Seats For 2020-21

Now, with the new academic year for PG session around the corner, the medical college authorities have applied for the conversion of its PG Diploma seats in advance.

Informing that PG Degree seats will increase in the institute for this academic session, the GMC Dean stated to TOI, "We are confident that our submission will be considered as we have sent our request before the cut-off date."