Amidst Turmoil, College of Physicians and Surgeons comes out in defence of its PG medical Courses
Mumbai: With the turmoil going around the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) courses, CPS Mumbai has now issued a Press Release in defense of its various courses and highlighting the role these courses have played in revolutionizing post-MBBS PG medical training and spreading health education nationwide.
CPS Mumbai in its release highlighted that it is a pioneering institution in the field of medical education, and it continues to make significant strides in spreading health education nationwide.
It mentioned in the release that CPS, a leading medical education institution in Mumbai, India, has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of over 45,000 postgraduate doctors, emerging as a beacon of excellence in the medical community. In line with its mission to provide cutting-edge training, CPS is proud to announce the establishment of a state-of-the-art Simulation Lab. This lab will offer students an immersive learning experience, enabling them to develop and practice clinical skills in a risk-free environment. The simulation modules will broaden the scope of training opportunities, covering various scenarios encountered in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, trauma, anaesthesia, emergency medicine, paediatrics, and more.
Established in 1912 under the visionary leadership of Surgeon Gen. Sir H. W. Stevenson, CPS has been at the forefront of medical education in India. It offers a diverse range of postgraduate courses to aspiring healthcare professionals, providing admission in CPS for individuals seeking advanced medical training. CPS is built on a strong foundation of academic excellence and esteemed leadership, with notable figures such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India; Morarji Desai, then Governor of Bombay; and former President of India, Pratibha Patil, as Honorary Fellows. CPS has played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare outcomes in Maharashtra and beyond, contributing to the reduction of maternal and child mortality rates. Renowned cardiac surgeon and Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, acknowledges CPS as the driving force behind Maharashtra’s remarkable achievements in maternal healthcare.
“We are committed to spreading health education nationwide,” said Dr Girish Maindarkar, President of CPS.
“The new Simulation Lab will provide our students with the opportunity to learn in a safe and controlled environment, which will help them develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their careers. We are confident that this new facility will make a significant contribution to the improvement of healthcare in India. Additionally, CPS offers a variety of courses that cater to the diverse needs of aspiring healthcare professionals, including CPS courses and CPS diploma programs. We are also committed to making medical education more accessible and affordable,” Dr Girish Maindarkar, President of CPS added in the release.
The results achieved by CPS in recent years are a testament to its commitment to excellence. Graduates of CPS have secured promising placements in various healthcare settings, both in the public and private sectors. The comprehensive training received at CPS equips graduates with the necessary skills and confidence to excel in their careers. CPS alumni, such as Dr M. J. Jassawalla, Dr C. B. Purandare, Dr Rumi Jehangir, and Dr Sanjay Oak, have made significant contributions to the medical field, further bolstering CPS’s reputation as a leading institution. CPS offers an extensive range of courses that cater to the diverse needs of aspiring healthcare professionals, including CPS fellowship programs, CPS PG diploma programs, and post-MBBS fellowship courses. These postgraduate programs provide students with valuable opportunities for post-graduation after MBBS, enabling them to pursue specialized areas of interest and obtain advanced degrees, the release issued by CPS stated.
CPS further mentioned that its faculty members play an instrumental role in guiding students towards success in their careers. They provide regular lecture series by renowned doctors, special lectures delivered by prominent faculties, and ongoing support and professional development for CPS alumni. Being a part of CPS offers numerous benefits for students, including the opportunity to pursue fellowship programs after MBBS. CPS is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the National Medical Commission (NMC), ensuring that its courses meet the highest standards of medical education. The institution’s dedication to spreading health education nationwide while maintaining affordable fees for both institutions and students sets it apart from its competition. CPS’s focus on strengthening public sector hospitals and government systems has resulted in significant improvements in maternal and child healthcare, which remains a top priority for the government. As CPS continues its journey, the institution remains steadfast in its commitment to providing exceptional medical education and fostering the growth of healthcare professionals.
CPS Controversy:
Established in 1912, CPS Mumbai is an autonomous body that imparts Postgraduate medical education and offers fellowship, diploma, and certificate courses for medical professionals. For the Diploma courses, the tenure is two years; in case of Fellowship, the tenure is three years. After obtaining the qualification granted by CPS Mumbai, the practitioners become allowed to register themselves as specialists in the concerned specialty.
Therefore, CPS offers a third route to medical students for post-graduate studies apart from MD/MS courses and the Diplomate of the National Board offered by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
Even though some of the CPS courses were recognised as medical qualifications under the Indian Medical Council Act, of 1956, recently the quality of such courses has come under inspection.
Back in the year 2017, the Union Health Ministry released a gazette notification recognising 39 CPS courses. But later, the Ministery published another notification and recognised 36 out of the 39 courses. Currently, NMC only approves three CPS diplomas in paediatrics, gynaecology and pathology.
However, the CPS courses are currently facing a major controversy referring to significant gaps in the standards of institutes offering CPS courses, the medical education department of Maharashtra recently wrote to the Union Health Ministry asking for its opinion on whether counselling can be conducted for around 1,100 CPS seats.
Writing to the Centre, the department referred to the inspection of the Maharashtra Medical Council conducted last year and how during the inspection, MMC had found "severe deficiencies" in several institutes.
Taking cognisance of the letter by Maharashtra Medical Education Department, the Central Government had earlier set up an eight-member committee to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, recently the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) recommended to the Union Health Ministry for withdrawing the popular DPB- Diploma in Pathology and Bacteriology, DCH - Diploma in Child Health and DGO- Diploma Gynecology and Obstetrics courses run by CPS from the next academic year.
This recommendation has been given by the NMC Board after discussing the issue meeting held on 12.04.2023. NMC PG Board expressed its disagreement with the Ministry for providing equivalence to the CPS courses and pointed out that such courses do not come under the purview of NMC.
After NMC, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) also offered rejection to the CPS courses by refusing to bring them under the aegis of the NBE. This decision was revealed by the NBE officials during a meeting on May 25.
At this outset, States including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Karnataka were reportedly considering reducing the intake for the CPS courses or discontinuing them.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) started inspecting CPS-affiliated institutes in Maharashtra, which had refused inspection last year. While around 74 institutes refused inspection last year, several of them allowed the MMC inspection this year.
