No practical training, MBBS taught through textbooks! ESIC Medical College Indore protest alleging NMC norms violations
Indore: MBBS students at ESIC Medical College, Indore are protesting against the violation of National Medical Commission (NMC) norms as they have alleged that they are being taught almost entirely through textbooks and Powerpoint presentations, with little to no practical exposure even three months into the academic session, Dainik Jagran has reported.
According to the Daily, the students have alleged that essential facilities required for core medical subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry are either missing or grossly inadequate. In protest, the students recently boycotted practical classes.
In the first MBBS batch, 50 students are enrolled in the institute. These students have claimed that the most serious lapse is in the Anatomy department, where no cadavers have been provided so far.
Under the NMC guidelines, the medical colleges must maintain one cadaver for every 10 to 15 students to ensure adequate hands-on training. However, the students have claimed that despite repeated representations, not a single cadaver has been arranged.
Commenting on the matter, a student told Dainik Jagran on the condition of anonymity, "The entire Anatomy syllabus is being taught using slides. Without dissection, it is impossible to understand human anatomy properly."
Apart from this, the students have also highlighted poor infrastructure in Physiology and Biochemistry laboratories. They claimed that the basic equipment such as microscopes, test tubes, beakers, reagents, and even examination tables are unavailable.
They have alleged that the practical sessions are reduced to theoretical demonstrations through presentations, contrary to prescribed teaching standards.
Students are anxious over the situation and many of them made deliberate choices to join the Indore institute. Among these 50 students, 35 students are from Hindi-medium backgrounds, and several reportedly left seats at established government medical colleges in Bhopal, Jabalpur, and Ratlam to enrol at ESIC Medical College.
"We trusted that a central government institution would meet all norms. Now we feel our crucial learning time is being wasted," another student said.
Meanwhile, in response to these allegations, the Dean of ESIC Medical College Indore, acknowledged the students' concerns and said corrective steps are underway.
Commenting on the matter, he said, "The complaints have been taken seriously. We have initiated the process to resolve the issues and request one week’s time to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place."
