MCI declines consent to DM Cardiology course at Goa Medical College

Panaji: The Medical Council of India(MCI), has declined consent to Goa Medical College and Hospital, GMC for starting Doctorate of Medicine (DM) course in Cardiology for the academic year 2018-19.The rejection comes in the face of gross inadequacies the Council officials came across during their inspection conducted on December 11, 2017.

The report submitted by the Council has been uploaded on the MCI website.

In accordance to the report, the apex medical regulator found that Dr Naik, whom the state authorities wanted to appoint Professor of the Department of Cardiology lacked the 3-year experience required for the appointment. He also did not have the requisite publications to his credit for the post, the MCI observed.

Besides all this, the bed strength in the unit was 14, far less than the called for 20. A number which was there in the intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU), which however could not be equated to teaching beds in the wards.

The lack of male and female cardiology wards as required understanding regulations was another reason for the Council’s disapproval. The OPD Department’s footfall on the day of inspection was zero and the OPD attendance on the day of inspection and on other selected days was not made available.

Cardiac emergencies being admitted to medical coronary care unit under the Department of Medicine was also uncalled for under the MCI norms for approval.

The MCI officials also observed that the workload of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion was only one every month with the detail of equipment absent. The absence of patients suffering from valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease and chronic heart failure in the ward was also observed. The Council report also mentions the absence of speciality clinics like arrhythmia and heart failure reports Navhind Times.

The above findings led to the MCI recommending to the central government not to issue a letter of permission to the Goa Medical College for starting a DM (Cardiology), under Goa University under section 10A of the IMC Act, 1956 for the academic year 2018-19.

Meanwhile, Health Ministry sources said that it was essential for the GMC authorities to certify the existence of all facilities including faculty recruitments for approval by the Council inspectors. The sources said that it was obvious that the college authorities tried to mislead the Council officials by making false claims, which could have later resulted in jeopardizing permissions granted to them including recognition and suspension of license for a period of 3 years.