Medical Council denies registration over non-recognition of PG medical courses, Kerala doctors to protest

Thiruvananthapuram: Around 200 doctors from Kerala, who completed their postgraduate studies this year, are upset with the decision of the Travancore-Cochin Medical Council (TCMC) to deny their registration. The medical council decided not to register these doctors noting their courses were not recognised by the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI), now the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Therefore, despite completing their PG medical courses, these doctors will continue to be treated as MBBS-qualified doctors.

According to a recent report by TNIE, upset over the medical council's denial, now the doctors are planning an agitation under the aegis of the Kerala Medical Post Graduates Association (KMPGA). They are also considering to seek the Government's intervention in this regard.

Registration from the Medical Council is mandatory for doctors wishing to pursue further studies by joining super speciality courses or to be able to seek jobs.

However, as per the State President of KMPGA, Dr Jathin, there are hundreds of other doctors who are affected by the decision of the medical council.

Also Read:Kerala: Medical Council calls for compulsory registration of PG Medical students, faces objection

Commenting on the matter, Dr Jathin informed The New Indian Express, "An estimated 600 doctors, who completed PG in the last three years, are still waiting for a TCMC registration. This cannot be justified."

Further mentioning that they were planning to approach the Government to seek a solution, Dr. Jathin added, "The issue is not new and has been around for quite some time. If the government does not take any step, then the KMPGA would be forced to agitate."

He also highlighted that the erstwhile MCI, surprisingly, recognised some seats in the same departments of a medical college. However, the Apex Medical Council refused to recognise others.

Blaming the State for the situation, Dr. Jathin further said, "For instance, 10 out of 14 seats in the Medicine Department of Kottayam Medical College are recognised, while four are not. So, all PG doctors in the department have been denied the TCMC registration."

"The MCI allowed the government to admit students in PG courses on the assurance that it would address the issues needed for recognition. But, the government did not uphold its end of the bargain, which resulted in some seats losing MCI’s recognition. The doctor is not at fault for completing PG course from such seats. The government should have taken steps to get recognition," he mentioned.

Extending their support to the affected doctors, the State President of Kerala Government PG Medical Teachers' Association Dr Ajith Prasad J S and IMA State President Dr. A V Jayakrishnan have also opined that the doctors should be allowed to register as otherwise their future would be affected.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue, a member of the Travancore-Cochin Medical Council and former State President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Dr Sreejith N Kumar informed the Daily that the council had written to the State Government and the NMC asking about which steps to take for registration. 

While agreeing that the doctors should get registration, he added, "But, the TCMC cannot override the rules. If it allows registration to the PG qualified doctors, it would be in clear violation of the existing rules. It is now for the Centre to take a decision in the matter."

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