Noida: Kasna Institute of Medical Science allotted 100 MBBS seats by Govt,

Greater Noida: The allotment of 100 MBBS seats by the Yogi Aditya Nath government to the Institute of Medical Sciences in Kasna in the recent budget has speculation rife about the Medical Council of India(MCI), giving its consent for recognition, which it has till date withheld. The Council's reason for not giving approval for recognition to the institute was lack of an adequate number of doctors, procurement of necessary equipment being slow, bed occupancy at the hospital being only 30% due to lack of infrastructure.

Initiated by the Mayawati government, the Rs. 533 crore infrastructure reached completion in 2013. Another additional amount of about Rs 227 crore was spent on developing medical infrastructure.

With seats allotted, commencement of classes has yet to happen.

The Kasna Medical College was visited by a Council inspection team in November last year and another visit is scheduled later in the month.

"We hope to get the recognition this time. In that case, we should be able to start classes from September," Sangita Aneja, the Director of the Institute told TOI .

As of now, the hospital provides only regular OPD services in around 10 departments, including microbiology pathology, biochemistry, and gynaecology. Admissions of patients on a regular basis are only happening in Departments of Ophthalmology, gynaecology, surgery, ENT, orthopaedics, medicine and paediatrics.

However, officials at the institute are doubtful about recognition being granted by the MCI keeping in mind the low bed occupancy at the hospital. Officials, however, term all these as "teething problems", but the fact remains that the institute has taken longer to develop its the medical infrastructure; like a fully operational intensive care unit, making it difficult to render specialized treatment.

"There have been teething problems, but you cannot compare a baby to an adult. We are still a new institution," Aneja said.

The hospital that was envisioned with 300 doctors, 250 nurses, 450 pharmacists, 150 ICU beds, and approximately 1,000 faculty members, it cannot commence classes for medical students without Council recognition.

Some officials pointed out that the allotment of 100 seats would be sanctioned only if faculty recruitments to handle the seat strength was available like in other medical colleges.

"We know it has taken time in making all the departments and the ICU fully functional. But we are working hard on this," the Director told TOI, adding that the 100 allotments by the state government would definitely act as a booster for MCI approval.