Better job opportunities: Health Ministry, MCI to push non clinical subjects

New Delhi: To find ways for providing better job opportunities to the PG medical pass outs of non-clinical subjects, the officials of Union health ministry and Medical Council of India (MCI) now going to bring the issue to the table to find out ways to promote education and career in these non-clinical specialists.

In particular, the MCI and the Ministry go Health are going to address the issue on how the candidates opting for post graduation in non-clinical subjects like physiology, anatomy, biochemistry can see a more relevant job in the sector.

Importance of these subjects as an integral part of medical education can never be undermined. However in recent times, may non-clinical PG medical subjects find few takers. Since the interest level shown towards the non-clinical subjects are comparatively lower, government brings down the cut off marks for these subjects almost on a yearly basis. Unfortunately the seats still remain vacant.

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Dr B Srinivas, Health Ministry additional director general (medical education) confirmed the same to the HT, recently"At least 90% of the seats that fell vacant after the first couple of counselling rounds were in non-clinical subjects that are largely teaching subjects. Candidates are not opting for these subjects in PG."

The lukewarm response to these subjects and the loss to the entire medical sector has now down the attention of both the medical regulator and the ministry. Therefore, the Health Ministry and MCI would collectively take up the issue and find a way out so that students take up these subjects for further study.

MCI board of governors chairman Dr VK Paul informed the daily,  "We are considering the matter to see how these subjects can be made more relevant keeping with the needs of modern times. These subjects are important from the scientific point of view and, therefore, cannot be done away with."

"Another important measure that we may consider is to open more job opportunities for those who pursue these courses. A lot of times, a candidate may not opt for a particular stream if there are no job prospects," Dr Paul further added.

Officials said opinions are being sought from all stakeholders, including universities, regarding changes that can be made in the subjects to attract candidates.

According to a section of people involved, there could be a bridge course introduced to equip these doctors also in handling patients.