With Increased MBBS Seats and Limited Work Opportunities, Himachal MBBS doctors in dilemma

This has happened due to the fact that even though the numbers of MBBS seats have been doubled in the last few years, the employment opportunities have not been increased proportionately, reports The Tribune.

As per the data provided by the MoS Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar before the Parliament, Himachal Pradesh has a total number of 8 medical colleges including 7 run by the Government and 1 run by private managements.

The total intake capacity for the MBBS course in Himachal is around 920, the data provided by MoS Pawar had revealed.

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However, as per the latest media report by The Tribune, earlier there were only two medical colleges in the State including the IGMC-Shimla and Tanda medical college in Kangra district. As a result, only 200 doctors used to pass every year and it was easier for them to find jobs in Government hospitals or join PG courses.

Now, with the intake capacity of around 950 MBBS seats, the medical students in the State do not have proportionate work options.

Facing an uncertain future, the students have already approached the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and writing to him the students have pointed out that there are 2,400 cadre posts of medical officer. Even though in 2021-2022, 450 MBBS students will graduate from the State Medical Colleges, the number will be 950 from the next academic year, adds The Tribune.

Even though the numbers of MBBS seats have been doubled in the last few years in Himachal, the same has not happened in respect of employment opportunities.

Further referring to the WHO guidelines, which require at least 1 doctor for a population of 1,000, the doctors have urged the CM to increase the number of medical officers in the State to 7,400.

In fact, he students have also suggested that the retirement age of doctors, which is between 62 and 65, should also be reduced to 58 years so that new graduates get to join service.

The daily adds that the student's central association of Tanda medical college has also approached the government regarding their concerns over interviews for the posts of medical officer.

Writing to the CM, they have stated that the interviews took place when the passouts complete the internship. However, the timeline got messed up this year due to the COVID situation. So, the students have urged the CM that interviews for recruitment of medical officers should be held when the students complete their internship.