Relief to Idukki Medical College: Likely to get MCI nod to resume MBBS classes

Thiruvananthapuram: The Government Medical College, Idukki with an intake of 50 MBBS seats is expected to gain the recognition of the Medical Council of India (MCI) to restart the classes for the academic year 2019-20.

Confirming the same, the Health Minister K K Shailaja, after a high-level meeting, informed that all guidelines necessary to get the MCI nod for 50 MBBS seats have been fulfilled at the medical college and expectedly the institute will be given the nod before May 31.

The Principal Secretary Health will be visiting the Idukki medical college to assess the situation. So far, the MCI visited the medical college campus twice.

The Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that in the year 2016, the MCI denied the college permission to admit students for that academic year. The Directorate of Medical Education had shifted the medical students as well as faculty of Idukki Medical College, to other government medical colleges and hospitals in the state.

Read Also: Kerala: MCI denies permission to Idukki Medical College, students and staff shifted

The transfer decision of the 2^nd year MBBS students was taken after the medical college authorities failed to provide proper clinical training facilities on campus. 20 teaching staff were shifted to different medical colleges, based on a working arrangement. 49 of the 50 MBBS students having cleared the first and second semester at the Idukki Medical College, were shifted.

This decision was taken due to the lack of facilities for clinical practice and lab studies at the Idukki Government College.

Read Also: Idukki students to be shifted

Now according to recent media accounts, the MCI will be inspecting the newly set up academic block to give its approval. The Anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry are the three essential departments for the first year MBBS course. For the second year MBBS course pathology, forensic, community medicine and microbiology departments have to be ready, for which the works are in progress. The work for the surgery, gynaecology, medicine and paediatric departments have been complete, reports the TOI.

The hospital block, emergency operation theatre, full-fledged medical and surgical ICUs, centralised oxygen facility, blood bank, laboratory facilities and advanced mortuary are also being prepared, reports the Indian Express.

An ambulance was purchased using the MP funds of Joyce George would be made available to the college for use. The recognition for the academic block, strengthening of radiation division and environmental clearance will be the immediate steps, adds the Hindu.