Kerala: MBBS fee structure in private medical colleges increased to 6.41 percent

Kerala: After a long conflict between the private college management and the medicos regarding the fee fixation for medical courses, now the justice Rajendra Babu's committee has finally revised the fee structure for MBBS courses in the self-financing medical colleges of the state.

Previously the college management of several private colleges demanded that the annual fee should be increased to a minimum of rupees 10 lacs. However, with the new fee structure, the committee has rejected the proposal and at the same time, it has increased the medical fee to 6.41% from last year.

There was confusion for a long time regarding the fixation of the fee and the Medical Dialogues team has consistently reported the issue. Last year in March 2019, the Committee had fixed the MBBS tuition fee per student at Rs 4.15 lakh for 2016-17; Rs 4.80 lakh for 2017-18, and Rs 5.54 lakh for 2018-19 academic years.

The medical college management had moved the state HC challenging this decision and alleged that the exercise undertaken by the committee far exceeded its powers.

After making several observations in the case, the bench ordered that the committee should pass fresh orders regarding the fee structure.

But State High Court slammed the Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee (AFRC), for not complying with its orders directing to issue a new fee structure for these institutes.

Meanwhile, the aggravated parents and medicos also approached the apex court and after considering the submission, the Supreme Court restrained the implementation of a fresh report of the FRC stating that if the Committee submits any report after the remand by the High Court, the same should not be implemented during the pendency of the case in the apex court.

Under such circumstances, the committee instead of reviewing the new fee structure initiated a hike of 6.41 % on the previous year's fee structure after taking into account the financial loss all over the country due to COVID.

Mathura Bhumi reports that the fees at DM WIMS Medical College at Wayanad will be Rs 7.012 lakh, Karuna Medical College in Palakkad will be Rs 6.32 lakh, KMCT Medical College in Kozhikode Rs 6.48 lakh, PK DAS Institute of Medical Sciences - Hospital and Medical College in Ottapalam will be Rs 7.07 lakh, Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences in Ernakulam will be Rs 7.65 lakh, Mount Zion Medical College in Adoor will be Rs 6.50 lakh and Sree Uthradom Thirunal Academy of Medical Sciences in Thiruvananthapuram will be 6.22 Lakhs.

The other colleges include Azeezia Medical College in Kollam, Believers Church Medical College in Thiruvalla, Dr. Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College in Karakonam, MES Medical College and Paramedical Science in Perinthalmanna, Pushpagiri Medical College in Thiruvalla, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation, in Venjaramoodu, Al Azhar Medical College and Super Speciality in Thodupuzha, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences in Thrissur, Malabar Medical College Hospital And Research Center in Kozhikode, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College in Kolenchery Travancore Medical College Hospital in Kollam which have increased their fees from Rs 6.16 lakh to Rs 6.55 lakh.