Ukraine Medical Universities to offer online classes, Will it help in Indian context?

Other universities are also planning to resume classes via online mode soon. However, there is no news regarding the commencement of the practical classes yet.

Although commencement of class is definitely good news, there are still uncertainties regarding the future of these medical students as the apex medical regulator in India, National Medical Commission (NMC) does not recognize online medical education.

In fact, the FMG Regulations 2021 clearly specify that the medical graduates from abroad should have undergone a course of theory, practical and clinical training in order to be recognized as Foreign Medical Graduates and be eligible to apply for license and permanent registration to practice in India.

Medical Dialogues had been reporting about the crisis of Indian medical students in the war-hit Ukraine, how they were rescued and the uncertainties regarding their future. Previously the Union Health Ministry was in talks with the National Medical Commission (NMC) to arrive at a decision regarding the future course of education for these students.

Also Read: Adjust Ukraine returned Medicos in Indian institutes as One-time measure: IMA to PM Modi

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had written to the Prime Minister regarding the matter and the association had requested the PM to allot these medical students in Indian medical colleges as a one-time measure.

Recently, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Union Government for integrating these medical students into Indian medical system, keeping in mind the ongoing crisis between Ukraine and Russia.

With an aim to provide relief, thousands of these Ukraine-returned medical students, several Ukrainian medical universities have commenced online classes.

Such medical universities are mostly located in western Ukraine. PTI adds that Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University and Bogomolets National Medical University have started online classes from Monday. 

Other universities have also planned to resume online classes in the coming days, according to the Indian students.

Also Read: Plea in SC seeks induction of Ukraine-returned MBBS students to Indian Medical System

The Indian students said their teachers are taking classes from their home or safe places amid continued shelling.

Some students are, however, concerned about not being able attend practical classes.

While these online classes may provide some relief to these medicos who are pursuing their education for the sake of continuity of their studies, the move still leaves the question unanswered. As per the current regulations, the NMC does not recognise online medical education imparted abroad.

This confusion regarding the acceptance of online classes in India has been at place since last year when NMC, erstwhile MCI had clarified that the medical students from China would not be able to appear for the screening test as their online medical education would not be recognized by NMC.

In fact, recently last month, NMC warned the Indian students, who are willing to enroll themselves in Chinese medical institutes, to think twice before taking admission as online medical education is not recognized by NMC.

"As per the extant rules, National Medical Commission does not recognize or approve medical courses done only by online mode," the notice dated 08.02.2022 mentioned. Apart from this, NMC had directed the students to refer to the FMGE Regulations before taking admission in foreign countries.

Also Read: MBBS in China: NMC warns Aspirants of Travel Restrictions, reminds of FMG Regulations

In these regulations, which came into effect on 18^th November 2021, NMC had mentioned the criteria the Foreign Medical Graduates were required to fulfill in order to obtain permanent registration in India.

"Any person who pursue the foreign medical degree should have undergone a course of theory, practical and clinical training equivalent to Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) of India," the Regulations had specified.

With these regulations in place, the online medical classes initiated by Ukraine Medical Universities would be recognized by NMC or not is still a matter of question.

However, the Indian students, who feared a bleak future after fleeing the war-torn Ukraine, are still considering this as a ray of hope as they want to go with the idea that "something is better than nothing".

Expressing similar views, Kanishk, a first-year student at Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University said that he was relieved that the classes have resumed as there were uncertainties around their future.

"Something is better than nothing. I am happy that the classes have resumed, finally. We were really worried about what would happen to our future now that Ukraine is engaged in a war with Russia," Kanishk told PTI.

Kanishk said he and other students received a notice from the Dean's office about the resumption of classes from March 14.

"As of today, the university is working and is ready to resume education online," the notification read.

Another first-year student Manogya said the classes resumed on Monday and termed it a "very emotional" moment.

"Teachers got very emotional. We discussed a little about the war. They have been teaching us from hideouts and safe places. I am glad the classes have resumed," she said.

Giving details about the classes, she said, "We had four classes yesterday from 12:30 till 7. Today also, we have several classes. The time table has been provided to us. Its good and I am happy to see the effort of the teachers even during such times."

Thousands of Indian students had to leave their studies mid-way and flee Ukraine following the Russian offensive.

"We know it (online classes) is not enough. But it is still better as finally, we can resume our studies," Kinjal Chauhan, a Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical student said.

The students have also been informed that their exams will also be held online.

"We will have vivas daily with a daily test on a site called Misa," Manogya said.

The Kharkiv National Medical University is expected to start online classes from March 21.

"Our university has announced that online classes will start from March 21. It is a good news that the classes are resuming," Aousaf Hussain (25), a student of the varsity said.

However, a major concern among students still is not being able to attend practical classes.

"Practical classes have not been held so far. Teachers are giving presentations and showing us slides to ensure maximum understanding. They are also recording videos of chemical reactions so that it is easier for us to understand," said Kanishk.

As part of the Indian government's Operation Ganga, over 20,000 Indian students have already been brought back from Ukraine.