Say no to medical courses by College of Physicians and Surgeons: Gujrat IMA to HC

Gujarat: A petition has been recently filed in the Gujarat High Court by IMA, seeking a halt to admitting students for the PG diploma course in CPS Mumbai, the (College of Physicians and Surgeons). A petition has earlier been filed against the matter of CPS being granted affiliation by the Gujarat government. Reportedly, CPS has not been granted recognition by MCI in the beginning of this year. Also, the Maharashtra government did not approve of the institute, by taking action against it; for alleged charges of corruption in the process of admitting students in the PG diploma course. The plea filed by IMA is likely scheduled for hearing on August 20.

The plea filed by IMA reads:

"It has come to knowledge that CPS, Mumbai, has started admission procedure and counseling is also being scheduled. The admission procedure has been started in direct contravention to the provisions of Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and if the same is permitted to continue then the students will be misguided and they will seek admission in this institute which is not recognised by Medical Council of India for Post- Graduate Medicine Courses."

The petition in addition implied that graduates from private colleges are most likely to be lacking in skills, which is not good news for the health of the common people.

"Most of the hospitals have inadequate in manpower and clinical materials. There is no system to ensure proper education training to doctors studying for their diploma to be conferred by the College of Physician and Surgeons, Mumbai. Hence, in such a situation it would be very difficult for students who seek admission in the current admission procedure," the plea added.

The petition also implied that the state has recognised CPS to facilitate alleged back door entry for aspirants. These medical aspirants, as alleged by IMA in its plea, are candidates who have not been given admissions to PG/diploma courses in recognised courses. Moreover, it is very important that MCI has derecognized the college. MCI issued two notifications to CPS withdrawing its permission in 2009 and 2010. However, the Gujarat government gave approval to CPS in August 2011. It even made changes in the rules to administer affiliation and recognition of students, for enrollment in Mumbai-based institutes.

The state government has earlier affiliated 11 private colleges and nursing homes, with CPS in Mumbai. CPS is offering diploma and fellowship courses in all medical streams. The rules allow candidates to get enrolled in affiliated hospitals and get certificates from CPS.

The rules by the state allow changes, even contrary to MCI's orders. The state has not submitted a reply, after the plea was filed three months before.