MCI inspection for 100 MBBS seats: Infrastructural Deficiencies put SKIMS in tight spot

Srinagar: Holding on to its 100 MBBS seats may prove as a bit of a task for the Bemina-based Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, as various infrastructural deficiencies were found by the Medical Council of India (MCI) during its recent inspection of the medical institute.

The Medical Council of India is currently on an inspection spree in Srinagar paying visits to medical colleges running in the area, to assure if these institutes have adequate infrastructural, organizational as well as academic facilities to impart medical education to future medical professionals. The team also recently visited GMC Srinagar

To check whether SKIMS medical college holds sufficient facilities as mandated for its 100 MBBS seats, a three-member team of the apex medical council is on a two-day visit to the medical college to inspect the infrastructure, bed strength, patient care, faculty and standard of academics.

The MBBS quota of SKIMS Medical College was enhanced in 2013 from 50 to 100 seats.

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As maintained by the guidelines drafted by the Medical Council of India, in order to have 100 MBBS seats, SKIMS should have the following number of units and beds at its premises:

• A minimum of 120 beds and four units each in Surgery and Medicine departments.


• 60 beds and two units each at Paediatrics and Orthopaedics departments


• 60 beds and two units are required for the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department

However, the infrastructure, bed strength and availability of faculty to teach the MBBS students are below than the minimum requirements stated by the apex medical regulator, the officials confirmed to Tribune.

"The requirements to run the five-year MBBS course change every year so we have to conduct inspections regularly. Also, our present visit is an overall inspection to assess infrastructure, faculty, patient care, and academics," an MCI official added.

Even in its earlier communications to the state government, the MCI had said much of what was recommended by the council had remained unaddressed, the official stated while commenting on the recurring infrastructural deficiencies at the medical institute.

In the year 2015, the institute did get a negative nod by the MCI, on top, the regulatory body's recommendation for the reduction of the MBBS seats to the Union Health Ministry. The suggestion came is view the medical college's mismanagement and failure in rectifying even minor deficiencies in the medical college.

However, the medical college authorities are looking forward to the recognition stamp by the MCI. The Director, SKIMS, Dr Omar Javed Shah told Tribune that he was hopeful that the apex medical council would recognise the additional MBBS seats allotted to the college.

"We have put a lot of efforts to improve the infrastructure, academics and patient care. I hope the MCI will not be disappointed this time," he added.

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