1120 Doctors pursuing PG courses dropped out of college in last 5 years, Maximum from VMMC; Here is the state wise list

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) recently revealed in an RTI response that a total number of 1120 doctors pursuing postgraduate medical courses dropped out of their medical colleges in the last five years.

Among the States and UTs, Delhi came first in the list as a total number of 155 PG medicos left their institutes in capital. Among these, 112 doctors were pursuing their PG courses at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital.

This data was revealed by the Apex Medical Commission while responding to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Dr. Vivek Pandey, a copy of which is with Medical Dialogues team. Filing the RTI, activist Dr. Pandey sought the details of undergraduate and postgraduate medical students who committed suicide during the last 5 years till December 2023. He also requested NMC to provide the details of medicos who dropped out of institutes during this period.

NMC provided the details regarding the number of medicos who committed suicide and who dropped out of medical colleges on 07.02.2024. As per the data, 153 MBBS and 1120 doctors pursuing PG medical courses dropped out of their institutes during these last five years.

MBBS Students Who Left College:

As per the data shared by NMC, the highest number of MBBS students left their concerned institutes in Bihar. While 18 MBBS students dropped out in Bihar, 17 MBBS students each dropped out in Gujarat and Karnataka.

15 MBBS students each left their institutes in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Apart from these, 13 medicos left in Andhra Pradesh, 12 medicos dropped out in Maharashtra, 11 in Tamil Nadu, 8 in Kerala, 5 each in Orissa and Rajasthan, 3 each in Pondicherry, Punjab, Delhi and Chhattisgarh, 2 in Mizoram and 1 medico each left the medical colleges in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

PG Medicos who Dropped out of their courses:

The highest number of doctors pursuing PG courses left their institutes in Delhi. Among the 155 doctors, who left their PG courses in Delhi, 112 doctors were pursuing their postgraduate medical courses at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital.

For the dropouts, Uttar Pradesh came in the second position. Among the 122 doctors who left their PG courses in U.P., 30 students were studying at Moti Lal Nehru Medical College.

Apart from these, 103 doctors left their PG courses in Uttarakhand, 98 PG medicos each left in States including Rajasthan and Gujarat, 96 doctors left the PG medical courses in Karnataka, 85 in Maharashtra, 45 in West Bengal, and 41 doctors left PG medical courses in Telangana.

In case of Telangana, 39 doctors left their PG courses in the last five years. 38 doctors left their courses in Andhra Pradesh, 30 each left their courses in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, 27 doctors left PG courses in Haryana, 25 doctors dropped out of PG courses in Chandigarh, and 17 doctors left their PG medical courses in Madhya Pradesh.

Further, 15 doctors left PG courses in Punjab, 13 doctors dropped out in Orissa, 10 doctors each in Kerala and Manipur, 6 doctors dropped out in Pondicherry, 5 doctors left their courses in Bihar, 4 dropped out in Chhattisgarh, 3 in Jharkhand, 2 doctors left their courses in Goa and 1 doctor each dropped out in Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Sikkim.

Institute-wise, VMMC, Delhi came first in the list as 112 students left their PG courses at this institute. Apart from VMMC, some other institutes where a significant number of doctors dropped out of their PG medical courses include AIIMS Rishikesh, where 97 doctors left PG medical courses, SMS Medical College, Jodhpur, where 43 PG medicos dropped out, GMC Srinagar, where 30 doctors dropped out.

Further, 28 doctors left PG courses at Gauhati Medical College, 27 doctors left Osmania Medical College, 25 doctors left Institute of PGMER, West Bengal, 25 left GMC Chandigarh, 24 each left B.J.Medical College, Ahmedabad and Medical College, Baroda, 23 doctors left Pt. B.D.Sharma PG Institute of Medical College, Rohtak, 20 doctors dropped out from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, 18 doctors left Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, 18 doctors left Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, and 12 PG medicos dropped out from Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal in the last five years.

Explaining why so many medical students are leaving college, RTI Activist Dr. Vivek Pandey told Medical Dialogues, "Various challenges are faced by medical students, From academic pressure and financial constraints to mental health issues and personal obligations, students in medical college encounter a myriad of obstacles. Some struggle in unsupportive learning environments or face pressure to pursue alternative careers. Additionally, difficulties in meeting academic requirements or disciplinary issues can also contribute to students dropping out."

"High work load and continuous pressure from the departments force them to leave their seat. By recognizing and addressing these challenges proactively, we can create a more supportive and conducive environment for our students to thrive in their medical education," he added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues in this regard, Dr. Karan Juneja, IMA JDN Standing Committee member and the Co-convener North, said, "Stressful long working and study hours for students, interns, and postgraduate residents significantly impact their mental well-being. This leads to burn-out and stress."

Dr. Juneja opined, mental wellness centres should be set-up in every medical institute, dedicated helpline number should be available in the medical colleges so that students could reach out without hesitation. He also opined that there should be fixed working hours for the PG residents.

"Proper induction course by classes by friendly seniors or mentors before joining the branch is also important. One must be acquainted by the responsibilities assigned to him. Besides, the support system at every level must be there," he added.

Meanwhile, recently, taking cognizance of cases of depression and suicide by medical students, the Anti-Ragging Committee of NMC has set up a National Task Force to address the mental health of medicos.

Comprising of 15 members of the Apex Medical Commission, will study the existing literature and data on mental health and suicide of medical students, analyze factors contributing to these challenges, and propose evidence-based strategies for improving mental health and preparatory of suicides. The committee may also pay a visit to the colleges where incidents of suicides have been reported.

Issuing an order dated 21.02.2024, NMC announced that the National Task Force on Mental Health and Well-being of Medical Students will submit its final report by 31st May, 2024. During this period, the task force will submit its progress report to Anti Ragging Cell of NMC once in a month, NMC mentioned.

Also Read: 122 Suicides, 1270 Drop-Outs in Last 5 Years: NMC Constitutes National Task Force to address mental health concerns of medicos