MCI Disapproval to Doda Medical College for 100 MBBS seats sees Condemnation

Jammu: Against the backdrop of Medical Council of India’s (MCI) decision of refusing to go ahead to start classes at sanctioned Government Medical College in Doda district of the state, the residents have expressed resentment and cried over the decision asserting that this belt is in utmost need of health infrastructure.

The local students wanted to pursue a career in the medical profession and were also hopeful of getting accommodated in their hometown after completing MBBS and serve their people but the goal is now a distant dream.

The Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the central government had earlier sanctioned five new medical colleges based at Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Anantnag and Baramulla a few years back in the state.

The MCI inspection committee had visited these newly built medical colleges. Four medical colleges based at Rajouri, Kathua, Anantnag and Baramulla were given an approval to begin the MBBS course with an intake of 100 seats each while the Doda medical college was denied the approval.

Read Also: MCI NO to Doda Medical College to begin MBBS course

“After conducting an inspection recently at the main campus site in Ghat village near Doda and visiting the makeshift campus in the town, the MCI refused to go ahead with the start of a batch,” certain sources informed UNI.

They said that the MCI team was not satisfied with the pace of construction of the main campus and the recruitment of the requisite teaching faculty and other staff.

"The MCI team sought assurance from the state government of completing the construction of the main campus of GMC Doda within a year, but none came forward with the commitment following which the decision of suspending the classes was taken," sources added.

"Earlier it was promised to hand over Letter of Permission (LOP) for 50 seats to Doda GMC but, denial on this, was a major setback for the faculty and the locals as well, who left dejected," sources asserted.

From other four sanctioned GMCs, Doda being a far-flung area and having tough terrain, much prone to accidents, should have been allotted seats for the start of first batch, they said and added that the government should have appointed staff, raised infrastructure and provided all other basic facilities before the visit of MCI in the betterment of the Doda residents.

"Sometimes unable to reach to Jammu to avail better health facilities after covering a long distance, the patients especially the accident victims succumb on their way," sources said adding that had the government appointed specialists in Doda, the patients do not have to rush to Jammu or elsewhere for treatment.

"Apart from raising health infrastructure, the government should also provide better road connectivity for easy travel," they said.
Sources further added that after not handing over LOP to the GMC Doda, the already deputed staff is eyeing their adjustment in different GMCs or outside instead of serving in District Hospital, due to which Doda District Hospital, will not have expert medicos to treat the patients.