HC directs GMCH Chandigarh to give MBBS admission to Disabled Youth, pay Rs 5000 fine

Chandigarh: A disabled candidate who had passed NEET and even the MCI rules of disability, only to be denied MBBS admission by Government Medical College and hospital, Chandigarh (GMCH Chandigarh) has now been given relief by the High Court and will be able to pursue his dream to become a doctor

Rohit Kumar who had ranked 181 in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2018-19 under “physical handicap” quota is now all set to get MBBS admission in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32. In the first go, despite the nod given by the Medical Council of India (MCI), GMCH denied the admission as it found him unfit for the course.

According to the MCI rules, Rohit provided the medical certificate produced by Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, which is one of the prescribed institutions. The certificate mentions that he is suffering from Gamma Sarcoglycanopathy-a locomotor disability that involves upper and lower limbs.

Director-principal of GMCH, Dr B S Chavan, denying the admission, said TOI, “ "As per the MCI norms, a medical fitness evaluation of such candidates has to be done after any board certifies their disability. Therefore, our medical board found his diseases as progressive affecting his upper limbs too. This is not fit for admission according to the MCI."

Ultimately, Rohit knocked the Punjab and Haryana high court which directed The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) to analyze his case. The medical board at PGI Chandigarh considered him fit and eligible to take admission in the medical college. The court directed him to take admission to GMCH. The medical college also fined Rs 5000

Rohit stated to TOI, "I got the court orders today and with those, I have got admission where it was refused earlier.” He further added that "It is not easy for me to get admission despite clearing the examination. My two months were wasted in this dispute."

The daily added that Rohit even applied for the admission at Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Medical College, Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, which was near his home. He could not take admission there as well because of the non-accessibility of resources for the differently abled students.