NMC slaps show-cause notice over inadequate facilities, Idukki GMC submits explanation
Idukki: After receiving the show-cause notice from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the alleged inadequate infrastructure, the Idukki Government Medical College provided an explanation to the Commission at a virtual meeting held by NMC on Wednesday.
Earlier, while issuing the show-cause notice, the Apex Medical Commission had warned to impose a fine on the medical college and reduce the number of MBBS seats from the next academic year.
The Apex Medical Commission's panel had issued the show-cause notice citing several inadequacies in the college, including fewer surgeries and the absence of proper staff.
The Commission had directed the college authorities to explain within three days why the MBBS seats should not be reduced or monetary penalty should not be imposed. NMC had asked the college authorities to give the explanation during the virtual meeting held on May 22 at 10 a.m.
As per the latest media report by The Hindu, previously, the Principal-in-charge of the medical college V.K. Devakumar had informed that they would attend the meeting and submit a detailed explanation. "A detailed explanation will be submitted soon. The notice has been issued based on an inspection report in January and February this year. After the inspection, over 50 new posts have been filled in the college," he had told the Daily.
The Principal in-charge recently informed The Hindu that during the virtual meeting on Wednesday, steps taken by the medical college to address the infrastructural inadequacies reported by the NMC expert panel were reported. He added, "After the general election, the college’s transfers and postings would be completed."
"Other issues, including the remoteness and smaller population of the district as reasons for inadequate facilities, were also raised before the panel members. We are hopeful that we can solve the problems.A detailed statement of facts regarding the panel findings was also submitted before the commission," Dr. Devakumar further added.
Protest by MBBS Students:
Meanwhile, the second-year MBBS students of the college held an indefinite protest in front of the casualty block, demanding labs and basic amenities. They claimed that there was a severe shortage of basic amenities in the medical college.
As a mark of their protest, the students covered their mouths with black cloth. Referring to their protest activities, the student leaders informed the Dailu that this is the fourth such protest being held demanding basic facilities. Previously, responding to the demands, the college authorities had agreed to arrange lab facilities before April but failed to do so. The student leaders informed that their protest would continue until lab facilities are provided.
"The authorities had temporarily arranged faculty in the college during the NMC inspection period, but they were later given transfers to other medical colleges. The second-year MBBS classes began in February and will conclude in October. But the students have not yet seen a lab," a student informed the Daily.
Highlighting the inadequate infrastructure, a second-year MBBS student said, "There is no lab facility though second-year MBBS classes began five months ago. The absence of a proper lecture hall is another concern. The construction works of the girls’ hostel are yet to be completed. Now, the girl students have been shifted to the boys’ hostel and the male students to the PWD rest house."
Also Read: Medical Colleges Under Tight Scrutiny of National Medical Commission
NMC scrutiny and action:
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the NMC had been in talks with the medical colleges across the country on a daily basis to ensure that the medical colleges have been complying with the requirements regarding faculty numbers, biometric attendance, clinical materials and other rules. The process is ongoing and NMC has already reached out to the administrators of around half of the medical colleges.
Earlier, medical colleges were facing physical inspections, where a team of assessors would go and visit medical colleges and assess those facilities. This process was widely criticized and accused of being full of bribery and corruption. It was alleged that the assessor would take bribes and approve medical colleges. However, under the new system, the Apex Medical Regulator is slowly moving online in terms of inspection of medical colleges as well as overseeing the fulfilment of requirements. Although online, with features, like AEBAS and biometric attendance system, it is being difficult for medical colleges to engage ghost faculties.
Earlier this month, for the first time, taking note of deficiencies in faculty and clinical material, NMC imposed fines on medical colleges for violating the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (MSMER) rules. The Commission slapped a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh on government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, including the colleges in Dharmapuri, Ramanathapuram, and Nagapattinam. Apart from these colleges, the Commission also issued show-cause notices to many other colleges for deficiencies in Aadhaar-based biometric attendance.
Recently, taking cognisance of a critical faculty shortage and lack of essential resources, the Commission took strict action against the government medical colleges in Chhattiagarh. NMC slapped a penalty of Rs 1 crore on Kanker Medical College, Rs 4 lakh fine on Durg Medical College, and Rs 3 lakh fine each in the medical colleges located at Bilaspur, Ambikapur, Mahasamund, and Jagdalpur. Along with this, Mahasamund, Kanker, and Raigarh medical colleges have also been served with show-cause notices over the shortage of faculty.
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