PGIMER to foray into MBBS course, looks to add 100 seats

The proposal to start an undergraduate program in PGI Chandigarh was approved by Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday after deliberating the matter lately with the director of the institute, Professor Dr Vivek Lal.

Noting the significance the decision for PGIMER, an official in the health ministry stated, "MBBS course at PGI has been the vision of most of the directors. But it was never taken ahead. This decision is a game changer for the institute."

Medical dialogues team had earlier reported that Prof Dr Lal had taken charge of the institute last month. Soon after, he had planned to start MBBS course.

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The decision will perhaps bring respite to lakhs of applicants going in for the only 92 MBBS seats in general category available in the city. With the latest approval there will be another medical college in the city. It would also bring excitement among the MBBS aspirants as PGIMER is one of the top institutes for postgraduation education, is now foraying into MBBS. 

"With this decision, there will be another medical college in the city that has been relying on GMCH only for the intake of MBBS students," a faculty member at PGI told Times of India.

Further, the move will also aid in addressing the issue of shortage of doctors.

"This will overcome the limitation of shortage of doctors in the institute," he added.

Also Read: Doctor Shortage: 11 Medical Officers Deputed To Chandigarh

Apart from the introduction of MBBS course, the standing finance committee has agreed in-principle to begin the hospital information system II at PGI, wherein, the establishment will be digitalized and enable all payments and prevent queuing up for OPD cards.

"This patient-friendly facility was also stuck in the files for a few years. With this, the admitted patients need not to queue up for payment of fee/investigations/test. They will be issued a card which will be used at the end of tests at the time of payment. This will also facilitate timely discharge," a senior official in the PGI administration told TOI.

He added, "PGI will also start the facility for the OPD patients."