MCI nod to Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences

Ongole: The final Medical Council of India's recognition nod to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has paved the way for medicos to appear for NEET-PG or practice medicine. The Council recognition was in response to Health Minister, Kamineni Srinivas opening the Rural Health Centre attached to RIMS at Maddipadu village- a Council condition.

Showing the letter of recognition from the MCI, Director K. Valleswari said: "now the successful students can practise or go for higher studies without any problem."

The Ist batch of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences pass outs had not been able to get admission to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), due to delay in granting of recognition.

The last five years of struggle for recognition by RIMS has finally reached fruition, as the institute has successfully brought down its faculty shortage from 10.4% to 5% and made available fully functional X-ray machines and a library with more than 7,000 books, as per the MCI guidelines, reports the Hindu.

Sources reveal that earlier, the State government had also pondered over seeking MCI's consent over an increase in the number of MBBS seats at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences from 100 to 150, and initiation of PG courses.

Former Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's dreamchild, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences were meant to be, autonomous AIIMS like medical institutions in different parts of the State.

However, the authorities faced many teething troubles to develop them as premier teaching hospitals.