Our PG NEET prep will be hit, say MBBS grads

Our PG NEET prep will be hit, say MBBS grads

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.02.2021 

Many fresh MBBS graduates who are keen on studying further say they can’t prepare for PG NEET while working in rural areas as it will affect their studies. Those who clear the exam — set to be held in April — can take up higher studies after signing a bond of Rs 30-50 lakh, stating they will come back and work in Karnataka for a year.

The doctors are also upset over the withholding of their credentials like permanent degree certificate and Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) registration, which are crucial to their professional and academic plans. “Why should only doctors do compulsory rural service and not engineers, architects and other professionals? Had we known MBBS is going to be a six-and-half-year course, many of us would not have opted for it,” said a fresh MBBS graduate.

Medicos from deemed-tobe universities who are seeking KMC registration are yet to get it. However, office-bearers of consortium of deemed-to-be universities said the state government has no role to play over such institutions. “KMC must act independently and as regional counsel of National Medical Council. The state government has no power over deemed-to- be universities. We will look into the matter,” said Dr S Kumar, chancellor, Sri Devaraj Urs University, Kolar, who also heads the consortium.

Prior to February 18, some graduates from deemed-to-be universities managed to get themselves registered with KMC. The registration is mandatory for both those working as doctors and those continuing further studies. Those who approached KMC February 18 onwards have been told no registration will be done unless the director of medical education issues an NOC.

Fresh graduates from deemed-to-be universities are running from pillar to post seeking appointments with the health commissioner and DME seeking exemption from the compulsory service.

Employing nearly 7,000 doctors for a year costs the government close to Rs 336 crore at Rs 40,000 a month as salary. “Where are so many medical officers’ posts vacant even if all hospitals in urban and rural centres are put together? Why hasn’t the government planned implementation in a phased manner,” asked medicos who are thinking of petitioning the high court.

Dr S Sacchidanand, vicechancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, said only provisional degree certificates will be issued to students. “For the final degree certificate, they have to complete one year of rural service,” he added.

The government has put our lives in jeopardy by directing KMC not to issue registration. We didn’t sign any affidavit or bond when we took admission. Karnataka is the only state to withhold credentials of MBBS graduates from private colleges and deemed-to-be varsities. We are made to run from KMC to DME and the health department. None of them has clarity and no communication has been sent to our colleges

— A student from a deemed-to-be university