Government asks Haldwani Medical College to stop mandatory psychological evaluation of medical candidates

Haldwani: Days after the Government Medical College in Haldwani made psychological evaluation mandatory for newly joining candidates, the Uttarakhand medical education ordered the college officials to immediately stop the practice over discontent amongst the students. 

The college had ordered a mandatory psychiatry test before allowing admission to candidates. The directive issued by Dr Ashutosh Sayana, director, Uttarakhand medical education department stated, "All orders related to the mandatory psychiatry examination, if any, are to be cancelled immediately."

Also Read:Psychological evaluation made mandatory for medical admissions in GMC Haldwani

Earlier, for admission to MBBS and MD-MS courses in the college, only general health tests were conducted. The general health test included nasal-ear-throat (ENT), ophthalmology, medicine radiology and pathology examination of all candidates. 

The psychological evaluation of candidates is an addition which took place this year, which was reported by the Medical Dialogues team previously. The Principal of Haldwani medical college Dr Arun Joshi had said, "Anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health issues are increasing these days in society. Medical courses require a lot of attention and dedication, so it is important for us to know the mental state of every student... so that we can help them with their overall performance." 

However, the move had created discontent amongst the students, which was earlier reported by the Times of India. A student asked "Are we expected to welcome the order? A student who has successfully cleared NEET is already mentally sound. How else would she or he clear such a demanding exam? What does a 'mandatory psychiatry test' even mean?" The TOI reports that this discomfort amongst students had caused the medical education department to pass the direction. 

Stating that the test would help in estimating the behavior, personality and working ability of the students, the public Relations Officer of Government Medical College in Dehradun, Alok Upreti had said, "The purpose of this test is to provide timely treatment to the students suffering from depression or any other mental problem so that their studies are not affected in any way." 

Haldwani Medical College has a total of 100 seats for MBBS and MD-MS courses, for which the admission process is currently ongoing.

Also Read:Ragging at Haldwani Medical College: Rs 5000 fine imposed on Second Year Medicos