PG diploma course in Tuberculosis at Patna Medical College awaits MCI nod

Patna: The two-year PG diploma course in 'Tuberculosis (TB) and Chest Diseases' started fifty three years ago in 1965 at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) which was disallowed admissions last year after the Medical Council of India(MCI), raised 12 objections, is yet to be given a clear signal for course commencement. The prominent objections were those related to faculty recruitments and bed strength. The College authorities have already submitted compliance to the Council; however, they have yet to receive a reply from the medical education regulator.

It was in all probability the first-time check by the MCI on the facilities at the hospital's oldest TB and chest department, last year.Ironically the first seems to have turned into a last one in many ways, in the absence of requisite faculty and other problems.

"The MCI stopped admissions for 2017-19 session citing faculty shortage and other problems," said a PMCH source.

PMCH is the only government healthcare facility that has been offering a PG diploma course in tuberculosis and chest diseases.

"The MCI team had raised 12 objections and we have already submitted the compliance report. However, the council has so far not given us the green signal to restart the course," said Dr Ashok Shankar Singh, head of PMCH's TB and chest department.

Times of India reports that the Council during its inspection had been taken aback to find the department posted with a mere 7 faculty members as against the sanctioned 26.It had also observed a drastic lowering of footfall at the department. In 2015 the 15,000 patients that visited the hospital, fell to 14,000 in 2016.

As against the 60 beds in the two TB and chest units and 6 in the ICU, presently the department was making do with 50 and 4 beds. The Council had also raised objections to the nonavailability of requisite infrastructure.

Dr Singh, however, mentioned other colleges working with lesser faculty as against the sanctioned requisite and also getting away with it without the council raising any objections.

Dr Sahajanand Prasad Singh, MCI member said that the college authorities should ask for a re-inspection by the apex medical education regulator. "The MCI rejects applications for valid reasons only. It is the duty of the PMCH to do a course correction," Dr Singh added.