MAMC RDA writes to MCI BOG on Final MD, MS Examinations, Immediate 6 month deployment at Hospitals
New Delhi: Concerned with the postponement of PG medical exams and recent Delhi government order on immediate deployment of all final year MD, MS doctors in various hospitals for 6 months, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) has moved the Medical Council of India (MCI).
In a letter to the Board of Governors in supersession of MCI (MCI BoG), the MAMC RDA has highlighted its dilemma caused by the sudden deferment of MD, MS final examinations as well as on the recently issued order released by the office of the Deputy CM of Delhi mandating a 6-month deployment extension of the exam going batch without any clarification on their exams and conferring the degree.
The said order stating, "Immediate deployment of all final year MD/MS/DNB graduate Doctors in various PG Medical Institutions of Delhi to be engaged for a period of six months in Delhi Government COVID Hospitals," was released by the Delhi government considering the surge in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the last few days in Delhi resulting in significant additional demand for ICU Hospital beds, consumables and infrastructure.
Whereas on the part of the exams, Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Delhi PG medical examinations had taken a u-turn with a last-minute cancellation just with 12 hours left before its commencement. Enraged and confused at this sudden move, the postgraduate medical students have approached the vice-chancellor of Delhi University and the Controller of Examination of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University with their demands.
The post-graduation examination which was supposed to take place on June 16 got cancelled and only 12 hours before the commencement of the examination the students were informed that the exam has been postponed without any proper time table.
MAMC students mentioned in their letter that with no fixed date for the final examination. The medicos alleged that they are in a state of confusion which shows the lack of coordination at the Faculty of Medical Sciences and their mismanagement of the situation.
They also added "when the preparation is complete, admit card has been distributed", the uncertainty of exams only increased their perils. MAMC demanded that "the final exam should occur as early as possible within a maximum of one week of postponement and assurance from your office for no further change in date".
Now, moving the MCI, medicos have urged its intervention in the matters as at a time like this when the doctors are providing services by working day and night to handle the COVID-19 crisis, these moves have only increased their stress.
RDA MAMC stands in full solidarity with the hospital's efforts to combat the COVID pandemic and is fully committed to serving the nation by treating the COVID patients. However, the exam going batch of residents are having a harrowing time due to recent policies and decisions of the Faculty of medical sciences and the Delhi government, the medicos stated.
Pointing out their dilemma, the RDA stated in its letter that forced to take the crucial MD/MS examination at a short notice in times of a pandemic, they were mentally prepared for the exams starting 16th June. These exams were deferred on the eve of the exams citing administrative masons, throwing their future prospects into ambiguity. Moreover, a recent order from the office of the Hon'ble Deputy CM of Delhi mandates a 6-month extension of the exam going batch without any clarification on their exams and conferring the degree.
This order has profoundly increased the stress on these doctors who are looking at an 8 month lag in their careers, an awful consequence which they do not deserve, the medicos highlighted their concern.
Moreover, it shall affect future prospects of the large number of doctors who wish to join super speciality courses via NEET-SS this year, the letter added.
The association said that the prevailing conditions of ambiguity regarding exams and degree are subjecting them to extreme levels of mental stress and this 6-month deployment will severely affect their future prospects.
Therefore they requested the MCI to meet the following requests so these COVID warriors won't have to go through this stress and enable them to serve the country with a healthy state of mind.
1. Expedite the exams and conduct single theory/single practical exam or consider passing the candidates on internal assessment in view of the unprecedented situation.
2. Deployment to be done as Senior residents after the publication of results.
