Kerala: New medical college admissions deferred for this academic year

Kerala: In view of its inability to provide adequate facilities at the proposed new medical college in the state, the government has deferred the MBBS admissions for 2016-17. This new medical hospital is to be set up after the merger of the General Hospital and the Women and Children Hospital at Thycaud. However, there is still a requirement to provide facilities and infrastructure in adequacy as per the MCI stipulated period; which the government has not been able to provide in the set timeframe.

However, the news is that the Centre and MCI has already sanctioned 100 MBBS seats for starting admissions this year. The state government in turn was required to submit an undertaking stating that the shortcomings in infrastructure and faculty shortage will be addressed in a specified time frame, before the admissions started.

“We have decided to inform the Centre and the MCI that it will not be possible for the government to fulfil all stipulated requirements within one month, by which time MBBS admissions for this year will commence. We have not dropped the project of the new medical college but at this point, our priority will be to strengthen the existing medical colleges and turn them into hubs of academic and professional excellence,” Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said to the Hindu.

Express reported that the Health Minister K K Shylaja held a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the issue ahead of the Cabinet Meeting. Moreover, with much opposition coming up against the new Medical College, which is being set up by combining the facilities of General Hospital and Women and Children Hospital, Thycaud, the government is learned to give second thoughts of opening new Coleges in the state.

Health minister in addition implied that the government intends to inspect the issues regarding new medical colleges. She said the government intended to study the issues of new medical colleges. Discussions will also be held after students have shared their complaints regarding Idukki medical college. Students have shared a feedback on facilities in the institution. The government priority at present is on development of existing institutions.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) has welcomed the Government’s decision to defer admissions to the proposed new medical college in the capital.