Crisis over PG admissions: IMA seeks PM Modi to step in

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-12-25T10:00:00+05:30 | Updated On 25 Dec 2021 10:00 AM IST

Crisis over PG admissions: IMA seeks PM Modi to step in

Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in resolving the crisis regarding the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling and the subsequent strike of resident doctors.

The association also pointed out the necessity of arranging sufficient manpower in health sectors to face a possible third wave of COVID infections.

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IMA requested the Ministry of Health to resolve this matter quickly with the compassionate advice and intervention of the Prime Minister to restore normalcy. It also added," Indian Medical Association will be forced to adopt direct democratic participation along with the Resident doctors." IMA in view of the impending 3rd wave, if this PG counselling is not held, with the limited manpower, it will be too difficult to handle the 3rd wave in our country.

It is pertinent to note that original NEET PG exam was scheduled in January 2021 but postponed in view of 1st and 2nd wave of COVID and held on 12th September, 2021. However, due to the legal impediments of the Supreme Court now the Counselling is withheld and now there is a shortage of 45000 doctors in the frontline.

When the exam was postponed in January 2021, IMA demanded, considering that NEET PG exams are usually conducted to select Resident doctors for working as frontline warriors to face covid patients the exam should not be postponed on the pretext of Covid. "As the NEET PG Exam was not held in January 2021, the aggressive 2nd wave was handled by limited manpower of doctors and resulted in the loss of more than 2000 Nobel professional souls in the Covid war. At that time 1,60,000 doctors were appearing for the exams and waiting for the examination to be held relentlessly for the 8 months, without involving in the Covid care", read the statement.

Now, in view of the impending third wave, if this PG counselling is not held, then with the limited manpower it will be too difficult to handle the third wave of Covid infections, it said. The IMA appealed to the prime minister to personally intervene in the matter. Supporting the genuine demands of the Resident doctors, IMA pointed out that till now it is not properly resolved.

The association stated, " IMA is in pain to see our younger children are forced to be in the streets, fighting for the cause of the community and genuine interest of the Covid care of our country. IMA demands the issues of reservation policy which is the prerogative of the Government shall not be mixed with the schedule of the counselling and the larger decisions of that reservation shall be taken at an appropriate time on the successive counselling."

IMA added, " On behalf of the 3.5 lakh doctors of this country, we express our moral support to the resident doctors who are fighting for the rights and herewith request the Health Ministry to resolve this matter quickly with the compassionate advice and intervention of the prime minister to restore normalcy."

IMA HQs. Press Release 23.12.2021 pic.twitter.com/RaOxJapfCG
— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) December 23, 2021

counsellingNEET PGneet pgIndian Medical AssociationIMAModistrikeresident doctorspm modiNEET PG Counselling 2021neet pg examcoviddoctor shortagethird wavepg admissions

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.