COVID
Duty For MBBS Students: Over 140 MBBS Students Move HC To Quash GMC Circular
By Farhat Nasim
Published
On 29 July 2020 9:02 PM
2
Ahmedabad: The State
Government's move to rope in MBBS students in COVID-19 duty seems to have
backfired, as around 146 medical students have now moved the Gujarat High Court
seeking to quash the circulars.
Challenging
the circular issued by the colleges on July 17, July 22, and July 24, asking
them to assist in the fight against Covid-19 and the threat that their academic
sessions would not be granted if they failed to report for this 'voluntary'
service, the third-year MBBS students of NHL Municipal Medical College and LG
Medical College have now approached the court.
The medicos,
in their plea, cited the example of GMC surat which made appeals to MBBS
students to jin COVID fight by luring them with several perks.
The medicos
while voicing against the government's diktat for them to join Covid-19 duty as
'Corona Sahayaks', contended that such "voluntarism" cannot be thrust
upon them.
In
clarification of their contention they further submitted, "Had they been
called for voluntary service earlier, they would have gladly joined, but now
they have to focus on their studies and examinations," adding that four
months of their academic sessions have been wasted.
"Had
the petitioners been called a few months earlier they would have been wedded to
the call of the nation," their petition reads.
Meanwhile,
pointing out at the threat that their academic sessions would not be granted,
which would render them disqualified for final-year studies if they failed to
report for this 'voluntary' service, the medicos took a strong exception to the
threat of action against them under the Epidemic Disease Act and the Disaster
Management Act.
In their
petition, the students submitted that the government can summon anybody for
duty under these laws, but they should be spared at this juncture. The work
they are required for could be given to health workers, compounders or nurses,
who are now available in abundance due to the prevailing unemployment.
The medicos
also presented the example of GMC, Surat that enticed them to join the COVID-19
battle. As per a recent media report in TOI,
in Ahmedabad, some students joined the training modules under duress and
threat. They reiterated that "any voluntary service cannot be
compulsory".
Subsequently,
the petitioners requested to quash the circulars and show-cause notices issued
by AMC colleges.
To
substantiate their demand, they argued that pursuing studies is their
fundamental right. They further submitted that there are 22 medical colleges in
the state and nearly 3,000 students are in Part I and Part II of the third
year. Of all these colleges, only AMC-run colleges have taken such a decision
that risks the lives of students in the time of a pandemic.
Medical Dialogues
team had earlier reported about the appeal by the Dean of the Government
Medical College (GMC) Surat via a circular dated July 24. As per the circular,
the medical college had offered to give 50 % Grace Internal marks; Certificate
of appreciation; Accommodation; Transportation to, and from the place of
accommodation, if needed; Meals & refreshments; and Honorarium of Rs.
10,000- per month to students who would voluntarily participate in the duty.
