Do not conduct PG medical exam: SDPGA moves Dr MGR Medical University

Chennai: Considering the extraordinary situation for conducting Post-Graduate medical (PG medical) exams, the Government Service Doctors and Postgraduates Association (SDPGA) has recently written to the Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr M.G.R Medical University, seeking not to conduct examination for postgraduate medical students, scheduled in August and to award marks based on their internal assessments.

With the current pandemic situation, various states across the country have been mulling over conducting PG medical exams. Medical Dialogues had recently reported about the Health Care Reform doctor Association (HRDA) moving a PIL in Telangana High Court asking for a postponement of final PG examinations due to the COVID-19 outbreak citing that safety measures adopted by the authorities are sufficient for holding the exam.

However, passing the verdict, the court had refused to interfere in the decision of the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) to conduct examinations for PG medical courses from June 20 to June 29.

Also Read: HRDA's PIL Rejected By Telangana HC; Medicos To Sit For Final Examinations

Now for the Tamil Nadu MGR Medical University, the Association in its letter said, "The University has announced tentative exam dates on August. We feel this is an extraordinary situation to conduct the exams. All medical colleges have been converted as COVID hospitals and the faculties are posted in COVID wards. So, it will be difficult to engage them as examiners and invigilators. MoreChennaiover, all the postgraduate students have been posted in COVID duty since March, it will be unfair to make them appear for exams without giving adequate time to prepare."

As per a recent report in The New Indian Express, the SDPGA further mentioned that it will be difficult to get clinical materials for practical examinations. " SDPGA demands the government not to conduct university exams both theory and practicals and award marks based on internal assessments," the letter added.

Also Read: 9 PG Medical Courses Of Dr MGR Medical University Declared ILLEGAL By High Court