THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has made a strong bid for getting 200 additional PG seats of the 5000 seats to be created by the Centre annually. Soon after finance minister Arun Jaitely made the announcement regarding the creation of 5000 additional seats in his Budget speech, the state government went into action mode. “Yes, we have made a strong pitch for maximum PG seats. Trivandrum MCH principal was sent to New Delhi to hold preliminary discussions. Though our earlier request was not accepted on the grounds that it was not in proper format, a fresh application was submitted to Centre citing our requirement. I hope the Centre will accept our demand,” health minister K.K. Shailaja told DC.
The minister said even on AIIMS the government had identified land and done proper homework but unfortunately it was not allotted to the state this time. Officials said though the government had applied for 200 PG seats, it might get about 70. More than getting additional seats, the focus was on getting recognition for the existing unrecognized PG seats, they said. At the moment the government medical colleges put together have 703 PG seats and 101 super speciality seats. Of these, nearly 30 per cent are unrecognized.
It may be recalled that the MCI had had permitted the government medical colleges to admit students to maximum number of seats on the assurance that requisite facilities would be created in the due course for recognition. However, deficiencies like faculty shortage, inadequate library facilities, absence of original publications by professors, ICU facilities, and inadequate support systems in various departments continue to plague medical colleges.
“There is nothing wrong in trying for maximum number of PG seats. It is in the interest of patients. As we all know resident doctors play a major role in providing services in medical college hospitals, the increase in their strength is always welcome. But along with demand for more seats, the government should take urgent steps to improve facilities for getting MCI recognition for the unrecognized seats,” said P S Dr Jinesh of Kottayam Medical College. Meanwhile a senior official said that Directorate of Medical Education was expecting to get recognition for at least 50 PG seats soon. MCI is scheduled to visit the medical colleges soon.
