Indian MBBS Students enrolled at Chinese Universities Seek Mid-Course Transfer

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020 and since then, travel restrictions have been placed for entry into and exit from China, in an effort to contain the pandemic. Indian students pursuing their medical education in China returned to India last year amid a raging pandemic as their universities imposed lockdowns. Many left their belongings behind hoping to return to campuses soon. However, more than a year on, the chances of their return remain uncertain as China continues to impose a travel ban for international students. Only those from South Korea and the United States of America have been allowed to return so far.

"The MBBS course requires students to gain practical experience. For almost two years, we've been bereft of that. It's starting to bother my confidence," said a fourth-year MBBS student of Jianghan University, Wuhan, told HindustanTimes.

In the month of June, 2021, the external affairs ministry had urged students pursuing an international education to write to its overseas Indian affairs (OIA) office about difficulties in reaching their university. "Indian students studying abroad who are stuck in India owing to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and mobility issues can send their coordinates, that is, email id and mobile number to OIA-2 division at emails: us.oia2@mea.gov.in and so1oia2@mea.gov.in," read the official notice.

Students had also sought help from Prime Minister Modi to help facilitate their return through an open letter. The Prime Minister is yet to address their grievances.

Students are also seeking a transfer to other countries, as an alternative measure. "If the National Medical Commission (NMC) will allow us to take a transfer to another country, then our problems will be solved. We don't have any hope to go back to China," a third-year medical student anonymously told media persons from the Hindustan Times.