December 2024 - Page 76 of 78

HC junks NEET candidate’s migration plea due to Non-receipt of OTP

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court recently denied granting relief to a NEET-qualified student, who sought migration from a private medical college to a government medical institute.

Filing the plea, the petitioner, who belongs to an economically backward section of society, submitted that even though his EWS rank was adequate to get admitted to a Government Medical College, due to technical difficulties in the West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee’s server and problem in receiving the one-time password (OTP), he could not participate in the first round of counselling and lost his chance to pursue MBBS from a Government Medical College.

While the petitioner prayed for migration from the private medical college, where he was enrolled, to a government medical college, the HC bench dismissed the plea while noting that “The applicability of the doctrine of delay and laches cannot be lightly brushed aside.”

The bench comprising Justices Partha Sarathi Chatterjee and Tapabrata Chakraborty questioned the delay by the candidate in approaching the court and observed, “In such circumstances, this case cannot be construed as the rarest of rare cases for issuance of any direction upon the respondents for grant of admission to the appellant in any government medical college in the academic session of 2023-2024. Any such direction would be an instance of misplaced sympathy.”

Also Read: HC Relief to MBBS Aspirant Wrongfully Denied Seat, orders Rs 1 Lakh Compensation, Future Admission

As per the plea, the petitioner hails from a very poor minority community and appeared in NEET UG 2023 exam under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category. He secured 52515 rank in the UG medical entrance test and as per the petitioner, such ranking was much above other candidates under the EWS category, who were admitted to the GMCs to pursue the MBBS course.

He claimed that during the first round of online counselling, the server of West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC) was not working properly and the appellant could not register his name since he did not receive any one-time password (OTP) in his registered mobile number and email ID. He immediately contacted the helpline number of WBMCC on 28.07.2023 at around 7 pm and prayed for assistance. However, allegedly, he was advised to participate in the second round of counselling.

Aggrieved by this, the appellant submitted a representation to the authorities followed by a demand notice through his advocate. Thereafter, he was called for a hearing on 29.09.2023 and at the time of hearing, he was verbally directed to take admission first at JIS as had been allotted to him in the subsequent counselling process and he was assured that thereafter the authority would arrange for his migration to any government medical college.

Allegedly, based on this assurance, the petitioner took admission at JIS. On the instruction of the Nodal Officer, the appellant was granted admission without tuition fees. However, after this, no steps were taken by the authorities to admit him to a GMC, claimed the petitioner. The counsel for the petitioner argued that merely sending of OTP does not prove that the OTP was delivered. Therefore, the appellant could not participate in the first round of counselling due to the laches on the part of the authorities.

It was submitted that in the event that he could have participated in the first round of counselling, he would have positively secured admission to a government medical college based on his NEET rank.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the EWS category of reservation was incorporated with the sole object to uplift and accommodate brilliant students from the lowest strata of the society. Therefore, the State has the duty and responsibility to ensure that such poor students do not succumb to the procedural ringmarole. The counsel argued that the petitioner had been victimized for no fault on his part and in such circumstances, the single judge bench should have exercised discretion in his favour and allowed him to take admission to any government medical college. In this regard, the counsel relied on a judgment delivered in the case of S. Krishna Sradha versus State of Andhra Pradesh and others.

He argued that through a memo dated 19.01.2024, the State Government authorities removed three ST candidates, who got admitted to Medical College, Kolkata in the MBBS Course (session 2023-2024) and as such three vacancies had occurred in the said government medical college and the appellant could be admitted to any one of such vacancies.

On the other hand, the counsel for the State authorities submitted that the registration for the first round of counselling started from 25.07.2023 and the process continued till 28.07.2023. The OTP for the registration was sent to the appellant on 28.07.2023 at 09.48.00 hours, as would be explicit from the document annexed.

The State counsel submitted that the appellant tried to fetch the OTP only once and that too on the last date stipulated for the first round of counselling. There was no explanation as to why he waited for the last date to fetch the OTP. Further, it was submitted that no representation alleging any inaction on the part of the authorities was submitted till 27.09.2023.

He further submitted that the appellant without raising any objection participated in the subsequent rounds of counselling and locked his choice finally on 21.09.2023. Thereafter, he waited for fifteen days, without any reason and ultimately affirmed the writ petition on 05.10.2023. Meanwhile, admission in the academic session was over and the appellant had also not attended his classes at JIS. When an aggrieved person, without adequate reason, approaches the Court at his own leisure or pleasure, no discretion can be exercised by the Court in his favour, argued the counsel.

Meanwhile, the court took note of a submission pointing out that while the petitioner prayed to be migrated to any GMC, such migration is a bar under clause 18 of the notification dated 02.01.2023 issued by the National Medical Commission. It was submitted before the Court that the period of admission for 2023-2024 had already expired and the appellant had not even attended his classes in the 2023 academic session at JIS. Considering this, the question of granting admission mid-stream to any GMC, after the commencement of the course, does not occasion.

After taking note of all the submissions, the HC bench noted, “To perpetuate an error is no heroism. To rectify it is the compulsion of the judicial conscience. Justice cannot be forsaken on alter of technicalities. Judiciary has a strong sense of justice and it works to maintain social justice and fairness as distinguished from misplaced sympathy. Upon application of such proposition to the facts of the case, it needs to be ascertained as to whether the appellant can be admitted in any government medical college to pursue the MBBS Course in the academic session of 2023.”

Terming it as a “real conundrum”, the bench observed, “…we are considering as to whether a candidate under EWS Category, who had pursued his studies under extreme financial distress and had by the dint of his merit secured a rank much higher than many candidates under EWS Category, can be directed admission in a government medical college where he would be able to pursue his studies with lesser tuition fees. It has made and compelled us to pause, ponder and confer anxious consideration. The case may not warrant a zerotolerance approach but the claim needs to be considered in the totality of the circumstances.”

The Division bench noted that the appellant’s claim for migration was rightly discounted by the single Judge in view of clause 18 of the notification dated 02.06.2023. Further noting that the appellant had not attended regular classes and today almost two semesters of the course are over, the court noted, “As per catena of decisions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court the time schedule relating to admissions to the professional courses should be strictly adhered to.”

From the photostat copy of the log obtained from the server of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the Court noted that though the first round of counselling commenced from 25.07.2023, the appellant fetched the OTP only once and that too on the last date of the said counselling, i.e., on 28.07.2023. In response of this, the OTP was sent to the appellant’s mobile on 28.07.2023 at 09.48.00 hours. However, to participate in the second round of counselling the appellant logged in and fetched the OTP on multiple occasions from the date the second round of counselling commenced.

“Records further reveal that having allegedly failed to obtain the OTP on 28.07.2023, the first representation was submitted about two months thereafter on 26.09.2023, i.e., after publication of the result of the Online Stray Round on 25.09.2023. The document annexed at page 41 of the A/O would reveal that the second round of counselling started on 14.08.2023 and the appellant waited till the fourth round which started on 18.09.2023 to get a seat at JIS. The locking date and time was 21.09.2023 at 20.41.00 hours. The writ petition was affirmed about fifteen days thereafter on 05.10.2023. The above sequence of facts clearly reveals that the appellant did not take immediate steps after having failed to register himself in the first round of counselling. Having not appeared in the first round of counselling, the appellant cannot even challenge the admission of other EWS category candidates in any government medical college, who may have obtained lesser rank than him in NEET,” the Court noted.

“We do not find any explanation as to why the appellant did not fetch the OTP immediately upon commencement of the first round of counselling on 25.07.2023. He unnecessarily waited till 28.07.2023 to obtain the OTP. There is no explanation as to why he participated in the second round of counselling without even submitting any representation contemporaneously alleging that for the fault of the respondents he could not register himself in the first round of counselling. An alleged assurance given by the respondent no.4 towards admission in a government college does not confer any legal right upon the appellant,” it held.

The bench observed that in the case of S. Krishna Sradha (Supra) itself it has been observed inter alia that where the candidate is challenging the first round of counselling process then he/she must approach the Court immediately after the first round of counselling and before the commencement of the second round of counselling. With this observation, the bench denied granting relief to the candidate and dismissed the appeal.

To view the order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/saddam-hossain-versus-the-state-of-west-bengal-ors-261693.pdf

Also Read: PIL Filed in Calcutta HC Demanding CBI Probe into Mysterious Death of a Jhargram Doctor

Roche to acquire Poseida Therapeutics for USD 1.5 billion

Basel: Roche has announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Poseida Therapeutics, Inc., a public clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering donor-derived CAR-T cell therapies.

Based in San Diego, California, Poseida’s R&D portfolio includes pre-clinical and clinical-stage off-the-shelf (also referred to as allogeneic) CAR-T therapies across several therapeutic areas including haematological malignancies, solid tumours, and autoimmune disease, as well as manufacturing capabilities and technology platforms.

The acquisition builds on the existing partnership between Roche and Poseida following the collaboration and licence agreement established in 2022, which focuses on developing off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies to address medical needs of patients with haematological malignancies.

“This exciting acquisition will allow us to drive further progress in allogeneic cell therapy while leveraging the successful existing partnership with Poseida,” said Levi Garraway, Head of Product Development and Chief Medical Officer at Roche. “We are very encouraged by the early clinical data, and this acquisition builds on our joint progress to catalyse the development of potentially first and best-in-class cell therapies in oncology, immunology and neurology.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Roche will promptly commence a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Poseida common stock at a price of US $9.00 per share in cash at closing plus a non-tradeable CVR to receive certain milestone payments of up to an aggregate of US $4.00 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately US $1.0 billion at closing and representing a total deal value of up to US $1.5 billion. The price payable at closing represents a premium of approximately 215% to Poseida’s closing share price on 25 November 2024. The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of Roche and Poseida.

Poseida will file a recommendation statement containing the unanimous recommendation of the Poseida board that Poseida’s stockholders tender their shares pursuant to the tender offer. Following the completion of the tender offer, Roche will acquire all remaining shares at the same price of US $9.00 per share in cash through a second step merger.

Each non-tradeable CVR will entitle its holders to receive the following contingent cash payments, conditioned upon the achievement of certain clinical development and commercial milestones, within specified time periods:

US $2.00 per share in cash, upon the initiation of the first pivotal study of a P-BCMA-ALLO1 product for the treatment of any indication (by December 31, 2028)

US $1.00 per share in cash, upon the initiation of the first pivotal study of a P-CD19CD20-ALLO1 product or of a P-BCMACD19-ALLO1 product for the treatment of an autoimmune indication (by December 31, 2034)

US $1.00 per share in cash, upon the first commercial sale of a P-BCMA-ALLO1 product for the treatment of any indication (by December 31, 2031)

There can be no assurance that any payments will be made with respect to the CVR. Assuming the conditions of the CVR are met, this would represent an additional cash consideration of up to approximately US $0.5 billion for Poseida’s stockholders.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Poseida’s common stock and the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

Citi is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Roche and Sidley Austin LLP is acting as legal counsel to Roche. Centerview Partners LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Poseida and Cooley LLP is acting as legal counsel to Poseida.

Linguistic Minority Medical Colleges Bound by NMC PGMER to Share PG Medical Seats with Govt! HC Junks Institute’s plea

Chennai: The Madras High Court bench recently held that private linguistic minority medical colleges are bound by the provision of the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations (PGMER), 2023, earlier issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and also the agreements made with the Government to reserve the PG medical seats for the Government quota as per the applicable laws of the State of Union Territory.

The plea before the High Court bench was filed by Venkateshwara Medical College and Research Centre in Puducherry, which sought the Court to quash the July 22, 2024 notification issued by the Director-cum-nodal officer (Medical Education), Puducherry Government providing for surrendering of 50% of the PG medical seats for the government quota. In its plea, the college prayed to treat all of its PG medical seats as the All India Management Quota seats to be filled by the college itself.

It was argued by the petitioner institute that the PGMER 2023 does not contain any clauses similar to 9(7) of the PGMER, 2000, which now stands repealed and had the provision of Government quota seats. Therefore, the college argued that it did not need to provide such quota since being a minority institute.

Further, it was contended that even Clause 4.8 of the PGMER, 2023, stipulates that the reservation of seats in Medical Colleges/Institutions for respective categories shall be as per the applicable laws prevailing in the States/Union Territories. In this regard, the Puducherry Government has framed regulation namely, “The Pondicherry Private professional educational Institutions (Provision of reservation, Admission of students and fixation of fees) regulations, 2006”, pointed out the college’s counsel, further adding that Clause 14 of the Regulation that deals about the reservation of seats, has expressly excluded to the minority education institutions referred in Article 30 (1) of the Constitution of India and therefore, the reservation policy cannot be enforced against the petitioner.

Also Read: HC imposes Rs 20 lakh fine on Pondicherry Medical Institute, orders surrender of 26 MBBS seats

On the other hand, the counsel for NMC pointed out that regulation for Chapter IV of PGMER, 2023 dealing with admissions and counselling clearly provides
that, reservation of seats in medical colleges/institutions for respective
categories shall be as per applicable laws prevailing in the
States/Union Territories, irrespective of the categories.

The counsel for the Government also referred to Clause 4.8 of the PGMER, 2023 and argued that the concerned clause empowers the State Government to implement their reservation policy in accordance with the prevailing law. He also submitted that the petitioner college had already entered into an agreement with the Government to share 50% of the seats at the time of commencement of the institute in compliance of the ‘essentiality certificate’.

However, while considering the matter, the HC bench rejected the petitioner’s argument that the ‘memorandum of agreement’ entered with the Government in 2015 applies only to the undergraduate (UG) seats and not for PG medical seats.

“It is obvious to note that nowhere in the terms of the agreement such prohibition is found to exclude the PG seats from seat sharing. It is also seen from the clause 2(viii) of the agreement that the post graduate level was also one of the subject matter of terms of the agreement. Therefore, the said issue is also answered against the petitioner. Hence, the petitioner is bound by the agreement and also to share the PG seats as well to the Government quota seats,” observed the HC bench.

“Article 30 of the Constitution of India guarantees fundamental right for the Minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. Thus, Article 30 of the Constitution does confer right alone, does not confer any special privilege upon the minorities. Hence, the prayer of the petitioner to treat all PG medical seats as All India Management Quota, is impermissible since the same will amount to special privilege. While exercising the powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, this Court can only enforce the valuable rights of the citizen and the same cannot be exercised to confer a privilege upon any person. Therefore, the petitioner cannot be permitted to treat their entire PG seats as All India Management Quota Seats. However, the situation would be different in the event of the minority quota seats goes unfilled. To avoid the wastage of the medical seats, necessary conversion process may be adopted in a manner known to law,” held the bench.

Relying on the earlier orders of the Supreme Court, the bench concluded that the petitioner college was not entitled to any relief as sought by them and accordingly dismissed the plea.

To view the order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/madras-hc-order-263018.pdf

Also Read: TN Private Medical Colleges Demand MBBS Fee Hike, HC Issues Notice

KEA to close applications for MSc Nursing entrance test, Know All Details Here

Karnataka- The Karnataka Authority Examinations (KEA) has released an information bulletin regarding the Post Graduate Entrance Test-2024 for admission to PG courses in M.Sc Nursing in Government colleges and Government seats in Private Aided / un-aided Minority & non-minority Colleges in Karnataka.

The eligible candidates of Karnataka origin who passed the qualifying examination in the colleges located in Karnataka state willing to appear for the test may fill out the application form online on the KEA official Website along with the payment of the fees till 02 December 2024.

Meanwhile, the registration fee for the said test for the General and OBC candidates is Rs. 1500/- and for the SC, ST, Category – I & PH candidates is Rs.800/-. However, the registration fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

Also Read: KEA Revises PG AYUSH Mop-Up Round Schedule 2024, Registration Open Till Tomorrow

ELIGIBILITY

1 Candidate should be a citizen of India.

2 Candidate should have passed B.Sc Nursing (Basic) or B.Sc. Hons. Nursing or Post Basic B.Sc. in Nursing degree or Post Certificate B.Sc Nursing with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka (RGUHS), or any other University located in Karnataka state, accepted as equivalent by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka. The institution should have been recognized by the Indian Nursing Council. SC/ST candidates should have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination.

3 Candidate should have registered in the State Nursing Council as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife.

4 Shall be a registered nurse and registered midwife for admission to branches.

I Medical Surgical Nursing.

II Community Health Nursing.

III Pediatric Nursing.

IV Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing.

V Psychiatric Nursing.

4 i Passed B.Sc. Nursing (Basic) or Post Basic B.Sc. in Nursing degree or Post Certificate B.Sc. Nursing of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka (RGUHS), or any other University accepted as equivalent by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka.

ii Minimum of one year of experience after obtaining a BSc Nursing (Basic), in a Hospital or in a Nursing educational Institution or Community Health setting (completed or completed on or before the Date of Counselling. For candidates with Post Basic B.Sc. in Nursing Degree, no such experience is needed after graduation.

DOCUMENTS

Following are the certificates to be produced at the time of Document Verification-

1 S.S.L.C. Marks Card (For age proof and parent’s name).

2 Birth Certificate/Cumulative Record/any other certificate for proof of place of birth.

3 B.Sc (Nursing)/PC B.Sc (Nursing)/BPT Marks Card Marks Card of all Phases/Years.

4 Degree Certificate issued by the University.

5 Attempt Certificate issued by the Principal of the concerned college.

6 Compulsory Rotatory Internship/Industrial Training Completion Certificate or Certificate indicating the likely date of completion, issued by the Principal of the College.

7 Council/Board Registration Certificate. B.Sc (Nursing), PC B.Sc Nursing/ BPT.

8 Professional Experience Certificate in Case of Nursing.

9 Domicile Certificate issued by the Tahashildar of Karnataka or Study Certificate from 1st to 10th Standard.

10 Valid Income & Category Certificate obtained from the concerned Tahashildar of Karnataka, if reservation is claimed.

11 Certificate under article 371-J for claiming HK region reservation issued by the competent authority. Certificate under article 371-J for claiming HK region reservation issued by the competent authority.

12 As per G.O No. DPAR 20 SBC 82, dated 28th December,1983 in case of Married women category certificate in the name of candidate name along with Husband’s name.

13 Any other Certificates required.

METHOD OF APPLYING ONLINE FOR THE FIRST PHASE

STEP 1- Candidates have to select “Online Application” by browsing the URL on KEA’s official Website.

STEP 2- Candidates have to click on “New User? Click Here to Register” on the home of the online application form. Candidates will have to provide all the required information in the candidate registration form and submit it. After successful registration, candidates will receive an Application number and user ID to their registered mobile phone number and email and also same will be displayed on the screen. Later on, candidates have to create their own password for further entry into the online application.

STEP 3- A Login Prompt will be displayed and candidates are required to enter the User ID and Password created by them and log in.

STEP 4- On successful login by the candidates “Student information” will be displayed, in which the candidates have to start entering the required information.

STEP 5- Once the candidates complete the student information entries, they will have to save the entries made.

STEP 6- The candidates will enter all the study details and select the “save and next” button.

STEP 7- After successfully saving the study details, the candidates will have to upload the scanned images of the Photograph, candidate signature, candidate Left Hand Thumb Impression and Parent Signature and select the “save and next” button.

METHOD OF APPLYING ONLINE FOR THE SECOND PHASE

STEP 1- After completion of entry of all the details candidates will receive an application ID and Password to their registered email address and also the same information will be displayed on the screen.

STEP 2- Candidates have to upload the scanned copy of the recent passport size Colour Photograph and Signature in JPG / JPEG format separately. (Photographs captured on the mobile phone can also be updated).

STEP 3- Candidates have to take the printout of the Challan copy which is in triplicate. Candidates of Karnataka origin have to pay the prescribed fee. The candidates have to pay the requisite fee in any of the branches of specified Banks. The bank will retain their copy of the Challan respectively and hand over the remaining two copies of the Challan to the candidates. Or the candidates can pay the fees through net banking.

RESERVATION IN FAVOUR OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES

Orders issued by the Government of Karnataka from time to time for reservation in seats for constitutionally permissible classes of Karnataka candidates such as SC and ST and Category I, IIA, IIB, IIIA and IIIB, are applicable. Failure to produce the latest income and category certificate issued by Tahashildar of Karnataka will result in forfeiture of his/her claim for reservation and he/she will be considered as a candidate belonging to the General Category only. Requests for change of category will not be entertained after submission of the application.

THE CANDIDATES CLAIMING RESERVATION UNDER THE HYDERABAD KARNATAKA REGION

The candidates claiming Reservation under Hyderabad Karnataka Region as local persons should produce the relevant certificate issued by the Jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner of the Revenue Sub-Division for claiming reservation under Article 371J (Hyderabad – Karnataka Region). Non-production of the certificate during Document Verification will result in the rejection of his claim.

To view the information bulletin, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/kea-invites-applications-for-msc-nursing-admissions-2024-know-all-details-here-262981.pdf

Pune’s Sassoon Hospital to Set Up 400-bed Cancer Hospital Research Centre

Pune: B J Medical College (BJMC) and Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) will establish a state-of-the-art 400-bed Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Pune, contributing to the development of the city’s healthcare sector. The new facility aims to provide comprehensive, advanced cancer care while also meeting the growing demand for specialized medical education and research in oncology.

Pune, a rapidly expanding city, is currently grappling with an urgent need for a dedicated cancer hospital. Despite its growth, the city lacks a specialized facility for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. As a result, patients often have to travel to Mumbai or other cities for treatment, leading to delays and added financial strain. The new cancer hospital will address these challenges by offering early detection, affordable treatment, and advanced cancer care closer to home.

Dr Eknath Pawar, Dean of BJMC and SGH, emphasized the urgent need for a specialized cancer hospital in Pune. He stated that the dedicated cancer hospital would have 400 to 500 beds, along with an attached postgraduate (PG) institute for medical education.

Also Read: CM Sukhu inaugurates tertiary cancer hospital building built at cost of Rs 13.50 crore

As per the recent media report in Hindustan Times, Dr Eknath Pawar said, “We have discussed the need for a cancer hospital in Pune with the medical education commissioner and the district collector of Pune. The previous meetings have been productive and both officials have responded positively considering the surge in cancer patients and lack of government cancer hospitals in Pune.”

The cancer hospital project will be funded through a collaborative effort between the central government and the state’s medical education department. Dr Pawar stated that 60% of the project’s cost will be covered by the central government, while the remaining 40% will be provided by the medical education department. He further emphasized that this financial collaboration aims to ensure the availability of world-class cancer treatment facilities in the city, making advanced care more accessible to patients. Dr Pawar also highlighted that the cancer hospital will include a dedicated rehabilitation and physiotherapy centre, along with a hostel facility for the attendants of the patients.

A five-member committee of experts has been appointed by the medical education department to draft a detailed proposal for the cancer hospital and PG institute. The draft is in its final stage and is set to be submitted to the district collector on December 2. The district collector has already confirmed the allocation of land for this ambitious project.

Also Read: 174-bed cancer hospital coming up at cost of Rs 213 crores in Bandra West

SGH currently provides free screening, surgery, and chemotherapy for cancer patients, but the new facility will offer much-needed specialized care for a variety of cancers, all under one roof. The new hospital will serve patients from Pune and surrounding areas, providing specialized care for various types of cancer. In addition to treatment, the attached PG institute will focus on training future oncologists and conducting groundbreaking research in cancer prevention and management.

UGC Receives 55 ragging Complaints within Weeks of Commencement of MBBS Academic Session: Report

New Delhi: This year, within weeks of the commencement of the 2024 academic year on October 14, the anti-ragging cell of the University Grants Commission (UGC) received more than 55 complaints from medical colleges across the country. As per a TOI report, this number was almost 42% of the total number of complaints received from all the colleges.

Even though there are only around 700 medical colleges in the country, comparatively much lesser than the number of engineering and technology colleges (8000), in 2024 alone, the anti-ragging cell received 800 complaints and among them 222 were from the medical colleges and 230 were from engineering and polytechnic colleges.

From these instances of ragging in medical colleges, the victims in four of these cases took their own lives. Meanwhile, anti-ragging activists have complained that the complaints about ragging don’t always lead to action.

Also Read: Juniors forced to shave heads- 5 MBBS students of Raipur’s Medical College suspended for ragging

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, Anti-Ragging activists have pointed out that the UGC data does not even capture all the incidents because one cannot register an anonymous complaint.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the instances of ragging at Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia (RVRS) Medical College, Bhilwara, where the MBBS students were allegedly forced to “strip naked” and “moan” by their seniors. When the students complained in this regard to the UGC, the Commission had reportedly asked the complainant student to reveal his/her identity to initiate further action.

Referring to this, Gaurav Singhal of the non-profit that works on preventing ragging, Society Against Violence in Education (SAVE) explained to TOI, “The reported case of severe ragging in RVRS Medical College in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, does not feature in the UGC list of complaints though the students tried to complain. They insisted on the student identity being revealed and since the student was not willing to do so, the complaint does not figure in the list.”

Rupesh Kumar Jha of SAVE mentioned that most of the complaints are made anonymously so that they did not have to face any consequences from the seniors. Referring to the recently reported ragging incident from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Raipur and added, “This is a common problem. So, victims are scared. If you are serious about tackling ragging, anonymous complaints must be given importance. It is for the UGC or college authorities to investigate and verify the truth in such complaints. In JLN Medical college, the boys were forced to shave their heads. If students are going around in uniform with shaved heads or if all freshers have a peculiar hairstyle, it is evidence that ragging is going on. How can the college authority deny it?”

“College authorities take it as a personal attack on them and almost never act on their own. Instead of being thankful that students are informing them that all is not well in the college, they victimize the complainant. This is why students cannot be expected to seek help from within the college. We must prevent ragging by implementing the detailed action plan mandated by the Supreme Court order in 2009,” explained Prof Rajendra Kachroo, the father of a student who died in 2009 from violent instance of ragging. When Prof Kachroo took up the matter before the Supreme Court, it resulted in the framing of regulations against ragging.

Also Read: Rangaraya Medical College house surgeon sacked for one year over ragging MBBS students

Upload Details Of BDS Students Admitted This Year: DCI Deadline for Dental Colleges to end soon

New Delhi- Through a notice, the Dental Council of India (DCI), New Delhi has directed the authorities of all dental colleges to upload the details of students admitted to the BDS Course at their dental institution for the academic session 2024- 25, on DCI Website, using their already allotted new login credentials for admissions, on or before the last date of joining i.e. 5th December 2024 (12:00 midnight).

As per Notice, Special Schedule issued by the MCC (available on DCI Website) for Counseling for AIQ/ Deemed / Central Universities & State Quota seats for BDS Course for the academic year – 2024, the MCC has declared the last date for joining the BDS Course as 30th November, 2024 for AIQ / Deemed/ Central Universities and 5th December, 2024 for State Counseling for the academic session 2024-25.

“in order to ensure smooth uploading the details of students and to avoid the unnecessary delay, undue pressure and technical fault on network. in uploading the details of the students at the last moment of cut-off date, each and every dental institutions shall make its efforts to upload the details of students gradually, immediately after the date of joining of student of each round of counseling, but not later than 12.00 Midnight of 5th December, 2024, in any circumstance. In other words, the college shall not wait for uploading the details of its students for last moment of cut-off date and the details would be uploaded by the college after each round of counseling.” the dental council added.

Moreover, it has come to notice that some dental colleges upload the details of students who are not admitted in their college, because of which the college where the student has actually taken admission is unable to upload the details. Colleges are hereby strictly warned to upload the details of only the genuine and bonafide admissions of their college. The onus of furnishing true, correct and authentic information is upon the college concerned and in case of furnishing any wrong i incorrect information. it shall be open to DCI to initiate action against penalize the college. the DCI said.

Only the uploaded details of students on DCI portal shall be forwarded to the State Dental Councils / Tribunals for registration of BDS degree.

“it is also to inform you that only uploaded details of students on DCI Website shall be considered and any detail of students received in any other format viz. e-mail or hard copy shall not be considered at all, therefore, you are requested not to send the subject details through e-mail or post or any other mode, It is also stated that no request for extension of time to upload the above details of students or any other excuse or reason or technical fault, etc. shall be considered, therefore. you are again requested to ensure and make available all arrangements at your end to complete the above task. in time, so as to avoid any litigation and to enable this Council to take necessary action in a time bound manner.” the notice added.

To view the official Notice, Click here : https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/lno7971-1-261675.pdf

How many doctors registered with state medical councils? Check out Health Ministry data

New Delhi: As per the National Medical Commission’s data, as of November 2024, India has altogether 13,86,145 allopathic doctors, who are registered with the State Medical Councils across the country.

Among these, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has the maximum number i.e. 209540 registered doctors, followed by Tamil Nadu Medical Council, which has 149399 registered doctors, and Karnataka Medical Council, which has 141155 doctors registered with it.

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda shared this data with the Lok Sabha while responding to some queries in this regard. Parliament members Shri Murari Lal Meena and Shri Ramshankar Rajbhar sought to know from the Ministry about the details of MBBS doctor-population ratio in the country. Further, the Ministry was asked to inform about the steps taken by the Government to improve the MBBS doctor-population ratio in the country, the status of availability of doctors in Government hospitals in the country.

Apart from these, other queries included whether there was any shortage of doctors in India and data was also sought regarding the total number of doctors graduating annual in the country along with the amount of annual fee. Shri Rajbhar also asked the Health Minister if the Government had any plans to reduce the fees payable by the medical students.

Responding to these queries, the Union Health Minister informed that “As per information provided by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 13,86,145 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils (SMCs) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) as on November, 2024. Assuming 80% availability of registered allopathic doctors and around 6.14 lakh AYUSH doctors, the doctor-population ratio in the country is around 1:811 which is better than the WHO standard of 1:1000.”

The details of the number of allopathic doctors registered with the SMCs/Erstwhile MCI/NMC are as follows:

As per the data, shared by the Ministry, 105805 doctors are registered with Andhra Pradesh Medical Council, 1660 doctors are registered with Arunachal Pradesh Medical Council, 25980 doctors are registered with Assam Medical Council, 48200 doctors are registered with the Bihar Medical Council, 10962 doctors are registered with Chhattisgarh Medical Council, 31481 doctors are registered with Delhi Medical Council, 4720 doctors are registered with Goa Medical Council, 79169 doctors are registered with Gujarat Medical Council, 15714 doctors are registered Haryana Medical Council, 7296 doctors are registered with Himachal Pradesh Medical Council, 18720 doctors are registered with Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council, 8544 doctors are registered with Jharkhand Medical Council, 49730 doctors are registered with Madhya Pradesh Medical Council, 156 doctors are registered with Mizoram Medical Council, 166 doctors are registered with Nagaland Medical Council, 29792 doctors are registered with Orissa Medical Council, 53446 doctors are registered Punjab Medical Council, 49049 doctors are registered with Rajasthan Medical Council, 1880 doctors are registered with Sikkim Medical Council, 73070 doctors are registered with Travancore Medical Council, 99737 doctors are registered with Uttar Pradesh Medical Council, 10249 doctors are registered with Uttarakhand Medical Council, 78759 doctors are registered with West Bengal Medical Council, 2683 doctors are registered with Tripura Medical Council, 26411 doctors are registered with Telangana Medical Council, and 52672 doctors are registered with the erstwhile Medical Council of India.

SR No.	Name of State Medical Council	Total number of allopathic doctors
1	Andhra Pradesh Medical Council	105805
2	Arunachal Pradesh Medical Council	1660
3	Assam Medical Council	25980
4	Bihar Medical Council	48200
5	Chhattisgarh Medical Council	10962
6	Delhi Medical Council	31481
7	Goa Medical Council	4720
8	Gujarat Medical Council	79169
9	Haryana Medical Council	15714
10	Himachal Pradesh Medical Council	7296
11	Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council	18720
12	Jharkhand Medical Council	8544
13	Karnataka Medical Council	141155
14	Madhya Pradesh Medical Council	49730
15	Maharashtra Medical Council	209540
16	Erstwhile Medical Council of India	52672
17	Mizoram Medical Council	156
18	Nagaland Medical Council	166
19	Odisha Council of Medical Registration	29792
20	Punjab Medical Council	53446
21	Rajasthan Medical Council	49049
22	Sikkim Medical Council	1880
23	Tamil Nadu Medical Council	149399
24	Travancore Medical Council	73070
25	Uttar Pradesh Medical Council	99737
26	Uttarakhand Medical Council	10249
27	West Bengal Medical Council	78759
28	Tripura Medical Council	2683
29	Telangana Medical Council	26411
	Grand Total	1386145

The Union Health Minister further informed that the Government has increased the number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. “There is an increase of 102% in Medical Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 780 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 130% in MBBS seats from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,18,137 as of now and increase of 135% in PG seats from 31,185 before 2014 to 73,157 as of now,” informed the Union Health Minister.

Further, the Ministry informed that the following steps have been taken by the Government to increase the doctor/medical professional in the country:

i. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 131 new medical colleges are already functional out of 157 approved medical colleges which includes 27 medical colleges in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

ii. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.

iii. Under “Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks” of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme, a total of 75 projects have been approved, of which 69 projects are complete.

iv. Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these.

v. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.

vi. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.

Regarding the issue of fees, the Health Minister informed, “As envisaged in Section 10(1) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, NMC has framed guidelines for determination of fees and all other charges in respect of fifty percent of seats in private medical institutions and deemed to be universities which are governed under the provisions of NMC Act, 2019.”

Also Read: How Many Doctors Registered with Medical Councils? Health Ministry gives State, UT Wise Break-Up in Parliament

EWS Students secure Management, NRI quota PG Medical Seats with Crores of course fee, candidates demand inquiry

New Delhi: Despite belonging to the economically weaker section, more than 140 such candidates have been admitted to postgraduate medical courses in clinical specialties from the management and NRI quotas of private medical colleges for which they will have to pay a tuition fee ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 90 lakh per annum, TOI has reported.

Therefore, these EWS candidates, belonging to families with an annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh, will have to pay more than a crore for a three-year postgraduate course.

Many aspirants are now questioning this revelation, as they doubt the eligibility of these candidates to secure an EWS certificate when they could afford to pay such a hefty amount as their PG medical course fee.

More than 24,600 PG medical seats were allotted in the first round announced on November 20. Among these 135 management quota seats in the private medical colleges and 8 NRI seats were allotted to candidates registered as EWS.

Also Read: 6 candidates submit fake documents to secure MBBS seats under NRI quota, 3 admissions cancelled

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, an EWS candidate has been allotted an MS Orthopaedics seat in the management quota of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences in Puducherry. The tuition fee for the entire course is up to Rs 1.6 crore. Another EWS candidate secured admission to an MD Radiology seat under the NRI quota in Rajrajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Mysore and will have to pay an annual fee of Rs 91 lakh. Therefore, the candidate will have to pay Rs 2.7 crore as the entire course fee.

Meanwhile, allegations are being by several MBBS graduates, who appeared in the NEET-PG 2024 exam, claiming that there was a huge increase in the candidates using fake EWS certificates. They are not demanding a Government inquiry into the matter.

Commenting on the matter, a NEET-PG aspirant told TOI, “It’s frustrating to see EWS candidates have taken admission in colleges that charge fees in crores. Govt must cancel their seats.”

Also Read: 44 Doctors for Submit Fake Certificates for PG Medical Admissions under NRI Quota, Committee to take action

MP doctors left scissors inside patient’s abdomen during surgery, Discovered 2 years later

Bhopal: A shocking case of alleged medical negligence has come to light in Bhind district, where a 44-year-old woman endured two years of severe abdominal pain only to find out that a pair of surgical scissors had been left inside her stomach in 2022.

Despite undergoing numerous tests, the woman found no relief or explanation for the excruciating abdominal pain she had been experiencing since her surgery in 2022 at Kamala Raja Hospital in Gwalior. However, a recent CT scan at Bhind District Hospital revealed a shocking incident. A metal object was found lodged in the left paracolic gutter, a part of the digestive tract which turned out to be a pair of surgical scissors.

The woman, a resident of Saundha Gohad underwent surgery on February 20, 2022, at Kamala Raja Hospital in Gwalior to remove a cancerous lump. What was meant to be a life-saving procedure turned into a prolonged nightmare as she began experiencing debilitating pain, bloating, and digestive issues for the past two years.

Also read- 6 doctors booked for alleged negligence after 5-year-old dies during treatment

Although she reached out to doctors and underwent several tests, her condition remained undiagnosed. When the pain became unbearable, she approached the Bhind District Hospital on Friday where doctors referred her to undergo a CT scan leading to the shocking discovery, as reported by TOI news report. Allegedly, it appears that the surgical team at the hospital left behind a pair of scissors inside her abdomen.

His family members told The Daily, “She was experiencing excruciating abdominal pain for the last two years, which worsened over time. Despite undergoing several medical tests, treatments, and consultations with various doctors, the root cause of her discomfort remained undiagnosed.”

After discovering the cause of her pain, her family members felt outraged. They have accused the doctors at Kamala Raja Hospital of gross negligence and are planning to take legal action against the erring doctors and the hospital staff.

Also read- Deviating from prescribed test by doctor is negligence- HC refuses to quash criminal case against Lab Technician