Delhi FMGs Unable to Enrol for Internships at MCD Hospitals

New Delhi: Around 100 foreign medical graduates (FMGs) in Delhi are in a huge dilemma over their career as they cannot get internship opportunities at Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) hospitals, which have community medicine facilities.

According to the MCD hospitals, currently, they are strictly following the guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), as per which, only 7.5% of their total 60 internship seats (approximately 5 seats) are allotted to the medical graduates from abroad.

Referring to this, the FMGs in Delhi have pointed out that they are unable to complete their required three-month internship in Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM), which forms an essential part of their one-year mandatory training.

Since the medical graduates from abroad must undergo the mandatory internship in India, without its completion, the FMGs become ineligible to appear in postgraduate (PG) entrance tests and commence their medical practice.

Also Read: DMC Advocates for FMG Internship at Non-Teaching Hospitals, Writes to NMC Member

The Times of India has reported that the MCD officials verified their adherence to the NMC guidelines and confirmed the allocation of paid internships to 7.5% of their total 60 positions. They also acknowledged that last year more than 7% FMG students last year.

Commenting on the issue, the officials from the Delhi Medical Council informed that the teaching institutions like Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) reserve 7.5% of their seats for FMG internships, in accordance with the NMC guidelines. The medical graduates from abroad who get enrolled to these institutes based on their merit proceed with their one-year programme, supported by existing PSM departments. 

Even though non-teaching facilities such as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital, Ganga Ram, and BLK Max Hospital offer internships to FMGs, they lack the mandatory PSM departments. Therefore, the students at these institutes require to complete a three-month internship at alternative facilities like MCD hospitals with community medicine facilities.

However, an FMG student, Dr. Ravi Dabas claimed that the MCD hospitals have enough positions. Addressing the issue, Dr. Dabas told TOI, "Despite repeated attempts to secure placements, we are constantly rejected. The MCD has not allocated existing positions to FMG students, citing financial and position constraints, preventing us from gaining the required practical experience." He also mentioned that the despite the willingness on the part of the FMGs to work without getting any stipend, they are being rejected.

Another student indicated that the uncertainty and delays in obtaining PSM postings have resulted in considerable psychological and emotional strain among students. The student added, "Uncertainty looms around our medical careers and this ambiguity adversely affects our mental wellbeing."

Meanwhile, an Executive Member of the Delhi Medical Cuncil, Dr. Ashwini Dalmiya clarified that the issue emerged after the Supreme Court proceedings regarding the FMG internship compensation. "In April 2024, the Supreme Court mandated equal treatment and stipends for FMGs during internships, matching Indian MBBS graduates. Subsequently, the MCD stopped offering internship positions, citing inability to provide stipends due to budget limitations," he said.

"Let the stipend be waived off at least for 84 days so that FMGs can timely complete their degree and be eligible for NEET PG," Dr Dalmiya added.

Also Read: Internship, permanent registration issues! FMGs demand 'practical' solutions from govt after assurances