Govt mandated training of MD emergency medicine medicos at corporate hospitals sparks debate

Chennai: Tamil Nadu is recently experiencing the war between Private and Government medical Institutes after the State Health Department decided to send all the MD Emergency Medicine Postgraduate students for training in Corporate Hospitals.

Strongly opposing the move, already the Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) and Tamil Nadu Government Doctors' Association (TNGDA) have pointed out that the corporate hospitals lack the adequate infrastructure including the availability of experienced faculties, which is available in the Government institutes.

They have also alleged that the decision of the State Government violates the rules of the National Medical Commission (NMC), which does not allow any exchange even between government colleges itself.

SDPGA has already written to the Director of Medical Education in this regard and the association has requested the authorities to withdraw the concerned decision.

The matter concerns the recent decision of the Tamil Nadu Health Department to send all the MD Emergency Medicine PG students for outstation training. In the recent letter dated 20.12.2022, the Director of Medical Education informed that, "Following the Induction Program for M.D. (Emergency Medicine) Post Graduates held on 07.12.2022, the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department had advised to send all the M.D. (Emergency Medicine) Post Graduates for Outstation trainings. The First Outstation Trainings has been arranged with Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore."

"Therefore, the Deans noted in the address entry are informed to depute Emergency Medicine Post Graduates from their respective Medical colleges to Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore as per the schedule-enclosed, so as to ensure improved quality of Emergency care services," further mentioned the order.

"Accommodation for the candidates will be provided by Government Medical College & ESI Hospital, Coimbatore and transportation will be provided by Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore," it added.

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However, the medical fraternity in Tamil Nadu has opposed the decision of the Government of deputing MD Emergency Medicine PG Students to Corporate Hospitals. Writing to the DME, SDPGA mentioned, "Tamil Nadu Health Department has world class infrastructure and adequate trained and skilled faculty. In this scenario deputing our Postgraduates to Corporate Hospitals is a regressive step."

"NMC mandates for Specific Specialists with teaching experience to Qualify as Faculty in MD(Emergency Medicine) Guidelines which is better available in our institutions than in private sector," further mentioned the letter.

"MD(Emergency Medicine) is a newer Discipline and specific Qualified Manpower is not available in Private Hospitals also. SDPGA requests to withdraw the order instill confidence on our Emergency Medicine Faculties and instead further upgrade our Medical Colleges," it added.

The State's decision regarding outstation training for PG Emergency Medicine Students in Corporate Hospitals has been opposed by TNGDA as well. Pointing out that the move is against the NMC rules, the President of TNGDA, Dr. K Senthil told Medical Dialogues, "Any UG or PG have to be trained only in allotted Institutions through out the course. Exchange between govt colleges itself not allowed by NMC."

"Such initiative can later be demanded/ followed for all specialities. Also the government specialists are more experienced and skillful than private hospitals. The difference is the sophisticated infrastructure more paramedicals and less patients relatively," he added.

"NMC permits admission of PG students only after ensuring if enough training facilities and faculties are available in the college. Therefore, this training may mean that it doesn't have the adequate number of faculties," he further mentioned and opined that the "teachers or faculty on request can be sent for training or any new training that is not available in Government sector."

Also Read: Major boost to PG medical education in Tamil Nadu: NMC nod for 88 PG, 14 SS seats