MCI debates holding NEET twice a year

TNN | Updated: Dec 6, 2017, 23:38 IST

Chennai: Is it possible to have two National Eligibility cum Entrace Test (NEET) sessions a year? The Medical Council of India is discussing the possibility of having two exams a year so that it can ensure it doesn't deny aspirants a chance after just one exam, MCI vice-president Dr C V Bhirmanandam said here on Wednesday.

In 2016, the Supreme Court made mandatory a common entrance examination for all medical admissions — undergraduate and postgraduate — across the country. Only central government institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and PGI Chandigarh were exempted from taking the common entrance.

In 2017, all students in the open category who were admitted to medical college across the country had cleared NEET with a score of at least 131 marks out of 720. Those admitted under the reserved category scored at least 107 marks. "Some say that it is unfair to give students only one chance. Even board exams conducted by centres and states have supplementary tests. They have to wait for another year before they can attempt it the second time," he said.

In 2017, only 32,570 of the 83,859 candidates who wrote the exam in Tamil Nadu qualified, giving the state an overall pass percentage of 38.84%. While experts say the scores are likely to improve in the coming years as the syllabus improves and schools prepare students better, they wantr students to be given at least two tests a year. "More than students, it is the universities who push for this," said a vice-chancellor of a private university, who did not wish to be named. "We lost at least 15 BDS students this year, and the situation was worse in government colleges where the fee is low. Several dental and engineering seats are vacant because students in the second and third year of their courses quit after they cleared NEET," he said.

MCI officials say they may not be able to guarantee that students won't leave another course because NEET allows students up to the age of 25 to appear for it for students in the open category and up to 30 years for those in the reserved category. "As of now, we don't know if we should have it before the September 30 deadline for admission or after six months. If we do it after six months, colleges will have to apply for additional intake. This may require additional staff and infrastructure," he said.

Docs, medical students protest against DME 

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | SHWETA TRIPATHI

Published Dec 6, 2017, 6:07 am IST

The protest intensified as doctors strike work and demanded to discuss the issue with the health secretary.



Doctors want the recruitment board to re-consider the recruitment made based on walk-in interviews, which is done only in case of emergency and not on a regular basis.

Chennai: More than 700 service doctors, postgraduate students and non-service postgraduate doctors from all over the state gathered to protest on Directororate of Medical Education campus in Kilpauk on Tuesday. Service doctors demanding recruitment through regular counselling alleged of non-transparency in the counselling of the doctors done owing to the emergency need of service doctors due to a surge in dengue cases in the state.

Doctors claim that around 465 vacancies were allotted to private college students through the emergency counselling even though a large number of government postgraduate students and non-service postgraduate doctors were available.

"Walk-in interview for recruitment is only on a temporary basis, in case of emergency. The Medical Recruitment Board takes the ranking and merit into consideration, but it was ignored in the recent counselling. Authorities had conducted recruitment violating the GO number 131 that lays down the regulations for emergency counselling and have allotted seats in Chennai, Madurai and other areas," said Dr D. Silambarasan, service doctor from a government medical college.

The protest intensified as doctors strike work and demanded to discuss the issue with the health secretary. Doctors want the recruitment board to re-consider the recruitment made based on walk-in interviews, which is done only in case of emergency and not on a regular basis.

"The allotment made for a group of private doctors leaving behind the righteous group of assistant professors, non-service doctors with two years of service bond to the government has affected the doctors who have already served the service. We expect the health secretary to look into the issue and resolve it as soon as possible," said Dr G.R. Rabindranath, Doctors' Association for Social Equality.

However, the senior officials of state health department have said that a notification regarding the recruitment was already issued to the doctors and there was no violation of regulations. Further discussion and clarifications will be made at a meeting to be held on Thursday along with the director of medical education and health secretary.

PG medicos stage ‘blindfold protest’ 

Staff Reporter
MADURAI, November 30, 2017 00:00 IST



Showing dissent:Postgraduate students of Madurai Medical College staging a protest at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai on Wednesday.Photo: R. AshokR_ASHOK

On the third day of their protest, over 70 postgraduate medical students blindfolded themselves with black ribbon to demonstrate their dissent against the recent recruitment of non-service doctors through Medical Recruitment Board (MRB).

The doctors, who staged a demonstration at Government Rajaji Hospital here, said they were disappointed about not being able to serve the public.

G. Kamalesh, one of the protesters, said that it was unfair that non-government doctors directly became assistant professors in government medical colleges and district headquarters hospitals.

The State recently recruited over 500 candidates through the MRB for positions in government hospitals.

The protesters claimed there would be no vacancy in medical college hospitals by the time they finished their courses in another three months.

“None of the 69% communal reservation seats has been filled. The vacancies available are not transparent,” he said.

To continue

He said that the protest would continue in full swing. About 200 members would send individual petitions to the Chief Minister and Governor listing their demands. On Thursday, the doctors would take out a procession from Panagal Road to Tamukkam Grounds through Collector’s office.

A human chain would be formed on Friday, Dr. Kamalesh said.

In a first, Maha MBBS will have a topic about sex-reassignment surgeries 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Nov 28, 2017, 2:06 am IST

Ms Salve, 29, attached to Beed city’s Majalgaon police station, has sought permission to undergo sex surgery.



The new addition to the curriculum, under the topic ‘Gender Sensitivity,’ will be introduced in the ongoing academic year itself.

Mumbai: In the wake of woman constable Lalita Salve seeking a sex-reassignment operation, the state department of medical education and research (DMER) will now introduce in the MBBS curriculum a detailed topic on gender sensitivity, which will cover sex-reassignment surgery.

In doing so, Maharashtra will become the first state in India to include the topic in the MBBS curriculum. The new addition to the curriculum, under the topic ‘Gender Sensitivity,’ will be introduced in the ongoing academic year itself.

Ms Salve, 29, attached to Beed city’s Majalgaon police station, has sought permission to undergo sex surgery. She has sought government assistance for the surgery and also that she be allowed to keep her job in the police force.

The joint director of DMER Dr T.P. Lahane, said, “The issues related to gender sensitivity were there but it was not in detail. It was taught but now students will be given proper assignments in addition to being taught about everything that comes under this topic. Maharashtra is the first state to introduce the topic in the MBBS curriculum.”

When asked if the move to introduce the topic was made in the wake of Ms Salve’s plea seeking government permission and assistance for a sex-reassignment surgery at the state-run J.J hospital, Dr Lahane said, “Yes, but we should see to it that the students learn all the aspects related to such issues. They should have deep knowledge about all topics because that is what they’ll be dealing with after completing their course.”

He said, “The doctors should be able to help such people suffering from such ailments.”

முதுநிலை பயிற்சி டாக்டர்கள் போராட்டம்

Added : நவ 28, 2017 00:30

சென்னை: பணியில் முன்னுரிமை அளிக்கக் கோரி, 11வது நாளாக, முதுநிலை பயிற்சி டாக்டர்கள், போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டு வருகின்றனர். மருத்துவ பணியாளர் தேர்வாணயத்தின் வழியாக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட, நிபுணர் டாக்டர்களுக்கு முன், தங்களுக்கு பணியிடம் வழங்க வேண்டும் என்பதை வலியுறுத்தி, முதுநிலை பயிற்சி டாக்டர்கள், சென்னை, கீழ்ப்பாக்கம் மருத்துவ கல்வி இயக்ககத்தில், 11வது நாளாக, போராட்டம் நடத்தி வருகின்றனர். நேற்றைய போராட்டத்தில், கண்களில் கறுப்பு துணிகட்டி, போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.இது குறித்து, பயிற்சி
டாக்டர்கள் கூறுகையில், 'எங்கள் கோரிக்கையை, அரசு ஏற்கவில்லை. பேச்சுவார்த்தைக்கும் யாரும் வரவில்லை. இதை கண்டித்தே, கறுப்பு துணி கட்டி போராட்டம் செய்தோம்'
என்றனர்.

Fathima College students climb cell tower for med seats 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Nov 27, 2017, 2:48 am IST

Students on the tower refused the calls of Mr Ramana Kumar, joint- commissioner of police, who reached the spot with policemen.


The parent of a student checks his mobile phone atop a cellphone tower at Vijayawada on Sunday. (Photo: DC)

Vijayawada: Six students of Fathima College, Kadapa, and a parent boarded a mobile cell tower here on Sunday and created a furore. The high drama started at about 10 am. The Fathima College students and parents started their protest at Vijayawada Dharna Chowk 27 days back. But as there was no response from the state government, the victims of Fathima College climbed the mobile cell tower and stayed there for the next eight and a half hours.

The students involved in this high voltage drama included Kesar Khan, Jakeera Khan, Farook, Noorullah, Hussain, Kishore and Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, father of the student Vishnu. They refused the request of the citizens, students, police and the college officials.

Students on the tower refused the calls of Mr Ramana Kumar, joint- commissioner of police, who reached the spot with policemen. The fire brigades also reached the spot. Finally, district collector Mr B. Lakshmikantham reached the spot and talked to the protestors over phone. Protestors demanded justice and the arrest of the management who allegedly cheated them. They asked for relocation as they were fighting with the management for the last two years. They demanded an assurance of CM, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The district collector informed the demands of the students to the CM who then agreed to talk to the students and gave them an appointment at 9 am on Monday. Only then did the protesting students come down the tower. Parents of the students, officers and police were finally relieved of the tension.

Dreams crushed, high-scoring medical aspirant rears cattle 

Deepak Karthik | Nov 24, 2017, 08:35 IST



Padmapriya had to give up on her MBBS dream as her NEET score was not adequate to get her a seat
TRICHY: The aspiration of 18-year-old Padmapriya was to wear the white coat and be addressed as doctor. However, she had to give up her MBBS dream as her score in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) was not adequate to fetch her an MBBS seat. Now, even her other option of pursuing Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) hangs in the balance as her family is incapable of paying the fees for the course at a private siddha medical college.

Padmapriya, who scored 1,114 marks out of 1,200 in her higher secondary board examination, now rears cattle at her native Keezhachinthamani village near Jayankondam in Ariyalur district as she has to support her family too. Daughter of Gunasekaran, a differently-abled man, she hit headlines when she mastered all the 1,330 Thirukkural couplets at the age of seven. As a reward, she received free admission and education at a private matriculation school near Jayankondam. Since NEET was made mandatory for medical education, the medical aspirant who completed her higher secondary in Tamil medium, took up the competitive examination but could score only 77 marks, far below the required slab for medical education.

"Though my MBBS dream was crushed due to NEET, I was reluctant to give up. After attending counselling at Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai earlier this month, I secured admission for BSMS at a private medical college at Coimbatore as I have 184.75 medical cut-off marks," Padmapriya told TOI.

Latest CommentHi I do know why this article has been published now. Padmapriya''s fee was paid on the 19th of October 2017 by one of our friend and we have the receipt for it. She does not need any additional fund... Read MoreNivedita Ambigananthan

However, she is short of money as her poverty has become a hurdle in paying the fee of ?3.30 lakh to pursue the course.

With her differently-abled father taking care of livestock and mother Gandhimathi working as agriculture labourer, Padmapriya will have to abandon her education if they can't find the money.

Meet doctor good-looking

By Thushara Ann Mathew  |  Express News Service 

 |   Published: 22nd November 2017 11:27 PM  |  

CHENNAI: With a smile and a white lab coat, Dr V Sethuraman sits in his clinic — a dream that he built from scratch. Coming from a family of doctors, his career did not suprise anyone. And since he always presented himself well even when he was in college, this doctor knew that dermatology was his calling. “I knew this was where I would end up, but I also knew that I did not want to do anything surgical. And that’s when I learnt about cosmetology and aesthetic cosmetology in particular,” says the MD of ZI Clinic.

After training under the late dermatologist Dr GR Ratnavel, Dr Sethuraman set up a clinic in the city and began the process of creating awareness about skin care and also offered treatment at affordable prices. “Skin care and treatment is not just for celebrities; we need to take care of our skin. For that, it is important to do check-ups and treat any problem that arises, then and there,” he adds. The celebrity-doctor who has acted in a couple of films talks to CE about his life as a sportsman, films and more. Excerpts follow:
Tell us about your schooling. Were you the popular kid in class or the studious one?
I studied in Montfort School, Yercaud. To be the popular one in Montfort, you need to take part in sports. I played tennis, athletics and others. I was actually keen on playing tennis but I had stopped sports and gymming after I started practicing, but now I am trying to get back to it. Growing up in an all-boys school taught me a lot. I became very independent and since I lived with my friends, I connected with them more and was not in touch with my family as much.
Do you have any phobias?
I have a lot of phobias, not just one (chuckles). To name a few — acrophobia (fear of heights), claustrophobia (fear of confined places), etc. In fact, a couple of days back, I did this movie with actor Santhanam in which we had a song sequence, which was being shot in a dark AC room. I was inside the room and kept feeling that something will attack me. So I used to keep coming out every now and then. Similarly, in one of the songs in Kanna Ladu Thinna Aasaiya (2013), we had to sit on top and do a dance step, and if you notice only Power Star and Santhanam did that scene, I wasn’t there in that, because of my fear of heights.
How did you get into acting?
While I was pursuing medicine at Annamalai University, I was involved in cultural activities, not because I knew to dance or sing, but just to get celebrities as chief guests and show off a bit in front of others (laughs). I brought actor Prasanna once and even Santhanam. At that time, Santhanam had just set foot into movies and was very popular for his jokes. That’s when I met him for the first time, and from then on, our friendship bloomed. We have been good friends for the last 14 years. It was through him that I got into movies. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would see myself on screen.
What’s your pick — Beaches or mountains?
I am a beach person; I love the calm and quiet of a beach. I love to travel a lot in general and make it a point to go and see different places. Next one on the bucket list is Spain.
Are you a foodie?
I would have visited every restaurant in Chennai at least once (laughs). I love to eat and try out different varieties of food, however continental is my favourite cuisine. I try and eat as much of it as I can.
If not a doctor, where do you think you would have ended up?
An engineer! It was only in the last minute that I got medicine. My principal did not give me biology initially and told me to take up engineering. I wanted to do that as well back then. So I think I would have definitely gone to the US and worked there as an engineer.
Acting bug
Dr V Sethuraman  has acted in Kanna Laddu Thinna  Aasaiya (2013), Vaaliba Raja (2016) and did and cameo on Sakka Podu Podu Raja (2017)

Doctors collect Rs 18 lakh to pay child’s bill

Pushpa Narayan | TNN | Updated: Nov 23, 2017, 09:31 IST

Highlights

Saran was in the paediatric ICU for 57 days, connected to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine for 33 days

When Saran came to the hospital on September 27 with fever, he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia

CHENNAI: Paying a six-year-old boy's hospital bill, quite literally, took the power of the crowd. Doctors at Kanchi Kamakoti Childs trust raised Rs 18 lakh through crowdfunding to help pay a bill of Rs 34 lakh for a child battling pneumonia, dengue, infections and other complications for nearly two months. The child went home on Wednesday.

Saran was in the paediatric ICU for 57 days, connected to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine for 33 days (the machine helps the lungs rest and the body heal).

"The bill was mounting and the child was not recovering, but we decided not to give up. We decided that if parents can't pay, we'd crowdsource funds," said the hospital's chief intensivist, Dr Bala Ramachandran. "We tied up with agencies that help to crowd source funds in October," he said.

The boy's father, D Ashok Kumar, who works for a Korean manufacturing firm, said he was grateful to many who donated money for the treatment. "I used all my savings. My company gave me Rs 5 lakh and friends and family helped.".

The doctors managed to crowdsource about Rs 18 lakh, and convinced the ECMO manufacturer to give them a discount. The hospital also gave a concession and the doctors' fees came to Rs 60,000.

Top CommentQuite heartening news that instill confidence in Indian doctors and hospitals. The Kanchi Kamakoti Trust did great service by raising the necessary money to save the child. Hearty congrats to the boy... Read MoreVarun Hegde

When Saran came to the hospital on September 27 with fever, he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia.

Two days later, when doctors found that a ventilator wasn't helping, they sought help from doctors at Fortis Malar. On September 29, cardiac surgeon Dr KR Balakrishnan connected the boy to an ECMO. The child tested positive for dengue, and also had dengue haemorrhagic shock and infection. Sai had a 70% risk of mortality and needed dialysis.On October 31, doctors weaned him off the ECMO machine. He was on a ventilator for a few more days. On Wednesday, doctors declared him fit for discharge.

சுகாதார அமைச்சரை முற்றுகையிட்டு மருத்துவ மாணவர்கள் போராட்டம்

Added : நவ 23, 2017 23:23



சென்னை: மருத்துவ பணியிடங்களில் முன்னுரிமை அளிக்கக்கோரி, முதுநிலை பயிற்சி டாக்டர்கள், அமைச்சர் விஜயபாஸ்கரை முற்றுகையிட்டு, போராட்டம் நடத்தினர்.
சென்னை, ஸ்டான்லி அரசு மருத்துவமனையில், உலக நீரிழிவு நோய் விழிப்புணர்வு பேரணி, நேற்று நடந்தது.

ஸ்டான்லி மருத்துவமனை : அதில், சுகாதாரத் துறை அமைச்சர், விஜயபாஸ்கர், துறை செயலர், ராதாகிருஷ்ணன் ஆகியோர் பங்கேற்றனர். அப்போது, முதுநிலை பயிற்சி டாக்டர்கள், 100க்கும் மேற்பட்டோர், ஸ்டான்லி மருத்துவமனை வளாகத்தில் குவிந்தனர். அவர்கள், அமைச்சர் மற்றும் செயலரை முற்றுகையிட்டனர். மேலும், மருத்துவமனை வளாகத்தில் இருந்து, அவர்களை வெளியேற விடாமல் தடுத்து நிறுத்தினர். இதனால், அப்பகுதியில், போலீசார் குவிக்கப்பட்டு, தடுப்பு வேலிகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டன. அதையடுத்து, அமைச்சர் மற்றும் அதிகாரிகள் அங்கிருந்து சென்றனர்.

அரசு ஏற்கவில்லை : இது குறித்து, மருத்துவ மாணவர்கள் கூறியதாவது: மருத்துவ பணியாளர் தேர்வு வாரியம் வழியாக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட, 556 டாக்டர்களுக்கு பணி ஆணை வழங்கியதற்கு எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்து, கீழ்ப்பாக்கம் அரசு மருத்துவக் கல்வி இயக்குனரகத்தில், நான்காவது நாளாக, உள்ளிருப்பு போராட்டம் நடத்தி வருகிறோம். எங்கள் கோரிக்கையை அரசு ஏற்கவில்லை; கோரிக்கைகள் ஏற்கும் வரை போராட்டம் தொடரும். இவ்வாறு அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

PG Medical students stage protest

Special Correspondent 

 

CHENNAI, November 21, 2017 00:00 IST

Service postgraduate students of medicine staged a protest at the Directorate of Medical Education on Monday, following a protest on Friday at the Health and Family Welfare Training Centre in Egmore where counselling for the appointment of assistant professors to medical colleges was in progress, a PG student said.

The postgraduates submitted a letter to the Director of Medical Education detailing their demands. They wanted counselling for service PGs for postings to be conducted before the Medical Recruitment Board’s written recruitment; direct walk-in interviews for general/speciality postings to be abolished; all temporarily appointed candidates’ posts to be showed as vacancies during the counselling for service PGs.

Later on Monday, the service PG students met the Health Secretary too, one of them said. Director of Medical Education A. Edwin Joe said he would try and accommodate the service PG candidates.

Govt Royapettah hospital gets new paediatric block

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

 

Published Nov 21, 2017, 6:06 am IST

The new block proposed three years ago has been built at the cost of Rs 2 crore.

 

 

The new block is not only equipped with screening equipment but also has radiology department a 24/7 clinical laboratory.

Chennai: The government Royapettah hospital got a new two-floor 10,340 square feet paediatric block  after its inauguration by health minister C. Vijayabaskar on Monday. The new block proposed three years ago has been built at the cost of Rs 2 crore.

“The paediatric block now offers critical care facility along with 54 bed general ward. It  also has a six-bed intensive care unit, six-bed infant care ward, a breastfeeding room for new mothers and also an isolation ward to prevent spread of infectious diseases like chicken pox and various types of fever,” said Dr Anand Pratap, regional medical officer, Government Royapettah Hospital.

The new block is not only equipped with screening equipment but also has radiology department a 24/7 clinical laboratory to carry out clinical tests for children within the premises.

“The paediatric block at the hospital was functioning in a separate block in the old building but this new paediatric block will  extend effective treatment and provide critical care to children brought to the hospital. This will also help to reduce the cases of infant mortality in the state,” said a senior official from the health department.

Medico sex harassment case awaits police probe

TNN | Nov 21, 2017, 07:50 IST

CHENNAI: An enquiry into a sexual harassment complaint filed by a medical intern against an assistant professor at the government Villupuram medical college and hospital has remained inconclusive.

The committee, which conducted a probe on November 8 and 9, submitted the report in this regard to the directorate of medical education on Monday. The directorate of medical education sources revealed that it has decided to wait for an inquiry by the Villupuram district police.

The girl's father said they have not received any information from the college authorities on Monday.

"My daughter, my wife and I appeared for the inquiry on November 8. My daughter narrated the sequences of events to the inquiry committee. The committee also sought the presence of my brother-in-law, who is working in the same college. My daughter spoke about the harassment first to him and later to my wife. The committee also questioned students for two days," said the girl's father.

The retired government employee said he will fight at any cost to prove the sexual harassment charges against the assistant professor. "Thirty-two students have pledged their support and sought an inquiry. The hospital authorities have launched attempts to isolate my daughter from other students threatening that their future will be at stake if they extend support . My daughter had applied long leave and is currently at home," he said.

He said he will seek a copy of the inquiry report to decide on the further course of action. "There are people, whom I don't wish to name, openly declaring that we are wasting our time and energy," he said.

Earlier this month, a medical intern filed a complaint against an assistant professor for harassing her during her duty hours. The complaint accusing the assistant professor of "unwanted deliberate touch" was sent to the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University vice-chancellor Dr V Geethalakshmi with a copy to the director of medical education Dr Edwin Joe and college dean Dr M Vanithamani. Signatures of 32 batch mates, who claimed to have either known of or witnessed the incident which happened on October 22 was attached to the complaint. While the assistant professor, who has been named in the complaint dated October 25, continues to work in the same college, the medico has been shifted to another unit under another faculty.

Tamil Nadu: AIIMS locale row continues

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | R VALAYAPATHY

 

Published Nov 18, 2017, 8:08 am IST

The Federation of consumer and service organisation has appealed to the Union Government to set up the proposed AIIMS in TN.

 

 

The Federation of consumer and service organisation has appealed to the Union Government to set up the proposed AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)-like institution in Tamil Nadu on merit especially under the criteria method.

 

TIRUCHY: The Federation of consumer and service organisation has appealed to the Union Government to set up the proposed AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)-like institution in Tamil Nadu on merit especially under the criteria method. In its letter-cum-legal notice to the Union health secretary, the Federation's secretary S.Annadurai pointed out that the Centre has proposed to set up AIIMS-like hospital in five states including one at Tamil Nadu, but even after more than two years, there is no announcement in setting it up in Tamil Nadu while the project has started in other states.

The Government of Tamil Nadu had forwarded its remarks after studying criteria index for all five places and recommended setting up AIIMS at Sengipatti in Thanjavur district. But, some people of Madurai had vainly cried and some of the influential politicians are now attempting to locate the proposed AIIMS at Madurai. In fact, the existing Government hospital at Madurai, which is now being upgraded under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) is nearing completion, he added.Mr. Annadurai further said that Sengipatti at Tamil Nadu is situated in the central part of the state and within 50-km radius of districts like Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Ariyalur districts. The consumer forum's secretary appealed to the Union Government to select the site for the AIIMS-like institute in Tamil Nadu on merit, as assured by the Prime Minister's office as well as Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. He said his client and President of the Federation M.Sekaran was expecting the government's response within seven days .

‘Bridge course soon for dentistry students to pursue MBBS’

Special Correspondent 

 

CHENNAI:, December 18, 2016 00:00 IST

Highlighting the need to give importance to oral healthcare and hygiene in rural areas, Dibyendu Mazumdar, president, Dental Council of India, spoke about a number of initiatives and plans of the council.

Prof. Mazumdar was speaking at the International College of Dentists: India, Sri Lanka and Nepal section, Conference and Convocation 2016 that was held in the city on Saturday.
Stressing that every student needed to be well-trained, Prof. Mazumdar spoke of CCTVs being set up in dental colleges at the outpatient sections,classrooms and departments.

“I have heard of ‘ghost postgraduates’ now...we all know about visiting teaching staff,” he said.
Mushrooming of colleges

On the efforts of the council to stop the mushrooming of dental colleges in the country, he said that the initiative had to come from the States.

He also spoke of introducing basic and advanced life support courses as well as forensic medicine for students.

A proposed bridge course, where students who had completed dentistry would be able to do a three-year MBBS course, is in its primary phase, he said, adding that these students would have to serve a minimum of five years in rural areas.

Prof. Mazumdar also said initiatives were being taken to ensure there were dental surgeons up to the primary health centre level, stipends for interns and PG students and that efforts were on to bring in dental insurance.

Rajiv Chugh, secretary general, ICD-India, Sri Lanka & Nepal Section, spoke of the organisation spread across 122 countries that has 12,000 fellows.

Rajesh Chandna, president, International College of Dentists, S.M. Balaji, president, ICD Section VI, M. Mala, chairperson, Tagore Educational Trust and others also participated.

Little-known viral fever now sends children to doctors

TNN | Nov 11, 2017, 07:21 IST



CHENNAI: It is the season of fever,but doctors are also dealing with an influx of child patients with a little-known viral infection that has the symptoms of dengue and chicken pox. Since 2010 when hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), caused by a virus found in the intestine, made a comeback, doctors in Chennai have recorded a three-fold rise in cases. "Although we now see HFMD cases throughout the year,it usually peaks in summer.

This time, the pattern seems different. In the last one week alone I've seen aroundseven cases," saidDr Deepa Hariharan, neonatologist at Sooriya Hospital.Thoughfrom thesamefamily thatcausesfoot and mouth disease in cattle, in humans, it affects children in the 1-11 age group and is uncommon in adults. Caused by viruses of the picornaviridae family,it can spread when a person comes in contact with the mucus, saliva, or faeces of an infected person.

In rarecases,it may require hospitalisation; in very rare cases, it can be fatal as patients can develop complications like encephalitis, meningitis or paralysis, inflammations of lungs or hemorrhage. In most cases, intervention is rarely required, said Dr S Balasubramanian, medical director of Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital, adding that they received atleastthree cases a day. "You just wait till it goes away, which takes 10-12 days," he said. HFMD causes fever, diarrohoea, sore throat and lesions in the palms, soles and mouth. "Doctors sometimes misdiagnose it and give children antibiotics. There are no tests to confirm, or medicines to heal, HFMD," saidDr Balasubramanian.

Doctors say HFMD typically spreads in enclosed spaces like classrooms. "It usually occurs in pre-school andkindergarten children as their resistance level is low," Dr Hariharan said. Patients with high fever are given paracetamol, and those with rashes are prescribed anti-allergens. In the the 2010 outbreak, health experts tried to study the virus butthe projecthit a dead-end for want of samples.

மதுரை மருத்துவமனைக்கு ஜப்பான் அரசு நிதியுதவி
 நவ 11, 2017 01:11


மதுரை: ஜப்பான் நிதி உதவியுடன், மதுரை அரசு மருத்துவமனை, 300 கோடியில், 'சூப்பர் ஸ்பெஷாலிட்டி' தரத்திற்கு ஜொலிக்கபோகிறது. தென் மாவட்ட அளவில, முக்கிய சிகிச்சை அளிக்கும் தரமான மருத்துவமனையாக, மதுரை அரசு மருத்துவமனை, 70 ஆண்டுக்கும் மேலாக திகழ்ந்து வருகிறது. மாநிலத்திலேயே முதல் முறையாக, உடல் உறுப்பு தானம் மூலம், இருதய மாற்று அறுவை சிகிச்சை செய்து சாதித்துள்ளது. மத்திய சுகாதாரத்துறை திட்ட நிதி, 150 கோடியில், மல்டி ஸ்பெஷாலிட்டி மருத்துவமனை கட்டுமான பணி நடக்கிறது.
மத்திய சுகாதாரத் துறை, ஜப்பான் நிதி உதவியுடன் மருத்துவமனைகளை தரம் உயர்த்த ஒப்பந்தம் செய்துள்ளது. இதில் மதுரைக்கு மட்டும்,300 கோடியில் திட்டம் வர உள்ளது.
இது குறித்து, மருத்துவமனை பொறியாளர் ஒருவர் கூறுகையில், 'படிப்படியாக, ஐந்து கட்டமாக கட்டுமான பணிகள் நடத்தி, சூப்பர் ஸ்பெஷாலிட்டி மருத்துவமனை தரத்திற்கு ஜொலிக்கப்போகிறது. இதற்கான கட்டுமான பணி, 2018ல் துவக்கப்படலாம்' என்றார்.

This doc is always ready for TT

By Thushara Ann Mathew  |  Express News Service  |   Published: 08th November 2017 10:32 PM  |  

CHENNAI: With over 15 years of experience in cosmetic and plastic surgery, Dr M Rajkumar is not an unknown name in his field. It was his father’s dream of setting up a hospital that he set out to fulfil, when Dr Rajkumar built GMR Hospital in. A man of very few words, the doctor’s passion towards medicine is evident in the way he doesn’t elaborate on what he does. CE caught up with the Dr M Rajkumar, MD, GMR Hospital(Mogappair and Anna Nagar), between his busy schedules. Excerpts follow:

You followed your father’s dreams, but did you always want to become a doctor?

Photo: P Jawahar

Honestly, I thought I would end up becoming an engineer. That’s what I wanted to study. I loved mathematics and would sit and solve problems and wanted to learn more. But then I wanted to fulfil my father’s dream, he always wanted to set up a hospital and wished to see me as a doctor, and serving people. And I did my duty and fulfilled his vision and am extremely happy to have taken this route

As a child, were you more into sports or cultural activities? Do you still follow that passion?
In school, I used to play a lot of sports mostly. I loved to play different games, and was especially fascinated by Table Tennis. I even went on to play at district level. I still have a passion for the game and manage to play whenever there is time.  

Do you have any fears or phobias?

I wouldn’t call it a phobia I guess, but I am extremely scared of cats and really am not very fond of them. In fact I am not very fond of animals or pets either.

What do you love most about the city?

Although I did my schooling in Vellore, I have been in the city for over the last 25 years. Home is where the heart is, and this is home. I love almost everything about the city. The theatres, beach, old statues, its old architecture, temples...the list just goes on. It’s a beautiful city with beautiful people.

Movies or books, what would you choose?

I would choose movies any day over books. I love watching movies and especially Tamil cinema has really fascinated me always. I am a huge fan of Rajinikanth and Nayanthara

Do you watch TV serials and reality shows? What is your opinion on that?

I don’t spend time to just watch serials, but when I sit down to eat and if my mother is watching then I just see them. I am not a huge fan of reality shows, especially Big Boss. I sat down with my daughter one day to watch it, because of all the hype, but immediately got up and left because I simply did not understand the concept behind it.

You mentioned your love for travelling; tell us a bit about it?

Oh yes, we love to travel as a family and make sure to go on at least one trip every year. I have been to Europe, Sikkim, Kashmir and so on. It is just really amazing to see different places and explore their culture and food. In fact it is on my bucket list to complete a tour of India. I would love to every nook and corner of this beautiful country.  

Do you cook?

No, I cannot and don’t cook, but I love to eat (laughs). Biryani is my favourite dish and always would be hungry for a plate of it. I have tried different varieties of biryani and I love Ambur Star biriyani. 

Singapore woman dies after weight-loss surgery in Chennai hospital

A Selvaraj| TNN | Nov 10, 2017, 06:42 IST




CHENNAI: A 35-year-old Singapore national died at a city hospital early on Thursday, hours after undergoing a liposuction surgery .

Police said Alicia Medanin Khan, who weighed 85kg, had been admitted to S R Multi Specialty Hospital in Arumbakkam on Wednesday morning. She had been continuo usly gaining weight and wanted to be fitter. She was shifted to the post-surgery intensive care unit around 5.30pm on Wednesday .

According to Khan's hus band Vijayakumar, a businessman in Singapore, doctors didn't allow him to meet his wife after the surgery as she had suffered complications. Doctors said she needed to be monitored for 24 hours before the surgery could be declared a success. At 1.30am on Thursday , Vijayakumar was informed that his wife had died of a sudden cardiac arrest. Vijayakumar said that though he demanded in writing details of his wife's health, doctors refused. The hospital then sent her body for autopsy .

Vijayakumar lodged a po lice complaint against the doctors and the hospital management for not disclosing his wife's health before and after surgery , alleging that his wife had died of medical negligence.

The Aminjikarai police have registered a case of unnatural death for now. "We will alter the case and include the doctors and hospital management if the autopsy report confirms death due to medical negligence," said an investigating officer.

Police sent the viscera for forensic examination to confirm if there was any complication. The death certificate issued by the hospital specifies the cause of death to be cardiac arrest. The hospital authorities said, "We completed the surgery at 5.30pm on Wednesday and the woman was shifted to the post-surgery ward under the surveillance of medical officers. After almost six hours she died of cardiac arrest."

50% cardiothoracic seats go vacant as demand falls

TNN | Nov 7, 2017, 00:26 IST

Chennai: More than a decade ago, cardiac surgery was one of the most pivotal professions, saving the lives of many patients who were at death's door. But, while the number of patients with heart diseases is on the rise, the once sought-after field isn't as favoured anymore.

More than half the number of cardiothoracic surgery seats in the state, even in prestigious institutions like the Madras Medical College, have not been filled. "There is a huge demand for cardiology, but surgery seats are vacant," said state selection committee secretary Dr G Selvarajan.

"Rapid developments in the field of cardiology are among the most important reasons," said Dr K Kannan, head of cardiology, Stanley Medical College. "Cardiologists are now able to do things which they could not ten years ago. Even a 90-year-old with a block in the heart can undergo a procedure to clear it. These patients may not be taken for an open heart surgery as it comes with a high risk," he said.

As these procedures are minimally invasive, done in cath labs rather than huge operation theatres, most patients return to work within two weeks. Senior cardiac surgeons say that developments in cardiac surgery have been relatively slow, but add that things may change when there are better surgical options.

Like cardiac surgery, there are vacancies in paediatric surgery and plastic surgery as well. Doctors say, just like advances in cardiology, advances in dermatology have had an effect on plastic surgery. "The number of cosmetic options in dermatology is vast now. This will last until there are newer developments in plastic surgery," said director of medical education Dr A Edwin Joe.

The state has now sought additional time to fill up seats, and is even contemplating offering special concessions for these students. For instance, the directorate of medical education, which makes it mandatory for all students to continue to work for the government for a specific period or pay Rs2 crore, may relax rules for cardiac surgery alone this year, say senior health department officials.