1,504 internship positions available for FMGs in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: For Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), the Tamil Nadu Government announced that medicos who have cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) can now undergo their Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) in 23 non-teaching District Headquarters Hospitals and 13 other government hospitals across the state.

Until now, only 384 CRMI seats were available for FMGs in government medical colleges. With the latest approval, an additional 750 internship seats have been created in 23 District Headquarters Hospitals and another 370 seats in 13 other government hospitals. This takes the total number of CRMI seats available for FMGs in the state to 1,504.

The announcement was made by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DME&R), which said the move follows ongoing efforts with the National Medical Commission (NMC) to address the long-pending issue of FMGs awaiting internship opportunities.

"Under the leadership of our Hon'ble Chief Minister Thiru Joseph Vijay, the Government has fulfilled the long-pending demand of thousands of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who had completed their medical education abroad, cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), but were waiting for opportunities to undergo the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI). Following continuous efforts with the National Medical Commission (NMC), official approval has now been obtained to allow FMGs to undergo CRMI training in 23 non-teaching District Headquarters Hospitals and 13 other hospitals across Tamil Nadu," the press release read. 

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that FMGs in Tamil Nadu were waiting for up to two years to secure a Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) seat. The situation was so difficult that some FMGs had taken up food delivery jobs while waiting for internship opportunities, according to a message shared by the All FMGs Association (AFA), which had earlier urged authorities to take immediate action.

With the latest decision, thousands of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who completed their medical education abroad and cleared the FMGE will now get an opportunity to begin their mandatory Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI).

"Further, this not only resolves the long-pending issue faced by young doctors waiting for internship opportunities but also marks the first time that internship doctors will be posted in District Headquarters Hospitals. This is expected to further strengthen healthcare services available to the public in district hospitals," the PR added.

Eligible FMGE-qualified candidates can apply for CRMI from tomorrow through the online portal

The 23 District Headquarters Hospitals approved for FMG internships include Mettur Dam, Kumbakonam, Tambaram, Kovilpatti, Hosur, Mayiladuthurai, Tirupathur, Jayamkondan, Pollachi, Tenkasi, Cuddalore, Manapparai (Trichy), Palani (Dindigul), Kancheepuram, Erode, Gudalur (The Nilgiris), Padmanabhapuram (Kanyakumari), Gudiyatham (Vellore), Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Government Hospital for Women and Children (Egmore, Chennai), Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children (Chennai), Institute of Mental Health (Ayanavaram), Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital (Chennai), and Government Raja Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar's Lying-in Hospital (Chennai).

Also read- FMGs awaiting up to 2 years for internship, some take delivery jobs to survive: Medicos urge NMC, Health Minister's intervention