Kerala: PG medical seats in 5 GMCs unrecognized

Kerala: It was in 2013 when almost 30 per cent seats in GMC’s were unrecognized by the MCI. After being assured by the government that recognized problems by MCI in 5 GMCs will be rectified soon, did the council allow admission to PG medical seats in these colleges. However, the problem continues to persist, even after three years.

The council had then pointed out many deficiencies in the GMCs. The noted deficiencies include shortage of teaching faculty and senior residents, no original publish by professors, and in addition, a list of nearly 40 deficiencies in government institutions.

Vacant posts are a major issue in medical colleges for both UG and PG medical courses. It is reported that 450 posts are lying vacant in 2,125 in five medical colleges.

Mohanan, president, Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association, said to Hindu nearly 80 per cent of the vacancies were at the entry and middle level.

Even though MCI introduced publishing of original papers as a pre-requisite for promotions in 2014, Dr Mohanan in his statement implied that professors, who were on the set pay scale before the implementation of the stipulation should not be penalized. There are professors without a proper desk to work, so how can we expect them to publish, given no facilities.

Director of Medical Education Ramla Beevi has implied that even though not a single PG seats has been lost, the underlines fact is that 208 doctors, who have completed their PG courses are not able to register their additional qualification. This is because the course still remains unrecognized. Like, P.S. Jinesh a PG student in forensic medicine from Kottayam Medical College in 2013, has not been granted recognition by registering his degree yet.