Kerala Private MBBS Students likely to be Allowed to Learn Autopsy in Govt Medical Colleges

Kochi: Bringing good news to the MBBS students belonging to Private Medical Colleges in Kerala, the State Government has now decided to allow them to witness and learn postmortem procedures in government medical colleges. In this regard, State Health Minister Veena George has issued directions to the Director of the Department of Medical Education (DME) to look into the matter and submit a report regarding the same.

"I noticed the Facebook post recently about the difficulties faced by the MBBS students in private colleges. I have asked the DME to submit a report on the same. Necessary steps to solve the issue will be taken based on the report," Health Minister Veena George informed TNIE.

This comes after an assistant professor of forensic medicine at Wayanad Dr. Moopen's Medical College, Dr. Sreelakshmi in a Facebook post explained the hardships faced by students and teachers of private medical colleges in the State.

The guidelines by the National Medical Commission (NMC) make it mandatory for the students to observe 15 postmortem procedures. Only government medical colleges are allowed to conduct autopsy procedures in Kerala.

Also Read: Postmortems to be conducted even after sunset in Delhi Govt hospitals

As per the doctor, in accordance with the NMC guidelines, students must be provided with a facility to witness postmortem examinations. She mentioned, "The previous guidelines mandated only 10 procedures. It is now been increased to 15. Another option is video demonstration. However, video demonstrations are not enough for students to learn how to perform autopsy. They require better exposure."

Meanwhile, a DME official informed the New Indian Express that the students of Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) were provided with the facility from 2020. "Apart from students enrolled in government medical colleges, students pursuing their MBBS degree from any medical college affiliated to KUHS can observe and learn postmortem procedures at general and district hospitals in the state. They are required to pay a particular amount as a fee," mentioned the official.

According to the DME official, the Government Order came into effect in October 2020. However, the doctor pointed out that facilities at the autopsy rooms of district and general hospitals are limited.

She mentioned, "Such hospitals only perform a limited number of such examinations. Moreover, these might not be carried out every day. Space limitations are also a hindrance. Also, in case of any complications, cases are referred to medical colleges. Moreover, not all general hospitals have the facility.

Dr. Sreelakshmi further mentioned that the teachers and students of private medical colleges in Kerala had been requesting the DME to allow private MBBS students to witness and learn postmortem procedures. She further added that the Minister's intervention has provided us hope.

Pointing out that in other States autopsy procedures are performed even in private medical colleges, the doctor asked, "Postmortem procedures in our government medical colleges are excellent. When we have the facility, why should we go to the medical colleges in other states?"

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