Another medical college facing closure, MBBS Medicos likely to be shifted

Pallakad: 150 MBBS Students from Kerala Medical College Palakkad are to be shifted to other Private medical Colleges by the State Government as the college authorities have failed to gain the nod of Medical Council of India (MCI) to continue the MBBS Course.

Confirmation to this effect was given by the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajeev Sadananda who informed the Times of India , "We are trying to relocate the students of Kerala Medical College. We held a discussion with private medical colleges and there are enough colleges to take the students. Now, we will write to MCI to enhance the seat at these colleges and once MCI agrees, the students will be allocated to new colleges."

Many private medical colleges in various parts of the country are now facing the fate of closure, while not having the requisite infrastructure as well as funds that are required to take up the teaching of medical students. Only recently, the state government had completed the takeover of Pariyaram Medical College

Read Also: Kerala Government takes over Pariyaram Medical College

Now another medical college is facing the closing of its doors as MCI observed the deficiency in infrastructure for the continuation of MBBS course.The College in the year 2016-17 had received the permission from the MCI after which 150 students were admitted for MBBS Degree Course. Later, in the current year, the college was denied permission for the continuation of the MBBS course.

The move by the State Government came in effect after the students moved to the High court requesting to relocate them to other medical colleges in the state so that they can fairly continue their course.

As per the essentiality certificate rule issued by the government, while starting a Medical College, if any college closes down, then it is the duty of the government to take over the students and move them to other Medical Colleges. The college management gives a bank guarantee.

Read Also: HC nod to Palakkad Medical College for MBBS admissions, 100 seats added

Dr Fazal Gafoor, the President of Kerala Private Medical College Management Association informed the TOI, "Government has already started proceedings to take over Kerala Medical College and requested us to accept students. Except Christian management-run medical colleges, all of us have agreed to accept students. This is a result of 'overbuilding' medical colleges in state."

With the NEET and government efforts to put an end to any kind of capitation process, running a private medical college is no longer a multi-million dollar deal as it was presumed to be earlier. Rather, its no longer a profit making venture, many point out. Majority of the private medical colleges are reported to be struggling to pay their salaries.

"This year, nobody approached us to start a medical college. Two institutions that had earlier sought permission have withdrawn. Medical colleges are no more a profitmaking venture and given the fact that government has taken over the allocation of seats, even favouritism is not possible. We don't need new medical colleges," Sadananda told TOI.

The management of the college, however, claimed that the infrastructure was efficient for running a medical college.

The College Director Subhash Gopinath informed the TOI, "We have submitted an affidavit to MCI to conduct reinspection."