'Go to high Court'- Bengal Health official's remark on FMGs awaiting internship sparks row

Kolkata: Amid the ongoing row over delayed internship allotment for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) allegedly due to a lack of vacancies, a video of a heated exchange between FMGs and a West Bengal Health Department official went viral on social media.

The footage shared by the All FMGs Association showed that the argument unfolded when a group of FMGs approached the state health department seeking internship opportunities after waiting for 6–7 months.

These medical graduates from abroad cleared the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), i.e. the screening test in June 2025. However, they are still awaiting enrollment in the internship programme.

Also read- No vacancies in GMCs, Kerala FMGs await internship

In the video, the student can be heard asking why the state does not have enough seats for internships. The student says, "Only West Bengal has no seat for internship. How is this possible? West Bengal is not the lowest state."

In response, the official allegedly says there are no such seats available. When the student questions this further, the official is heard saying, “Do one thing, go to High Court, put a case, I will respond to it.”

The student replies that going to court should not be necessary as it is their "basic right." However, the official allegedly responded, "No, it’s not. You are not my candidate. You are a candidate of central government. So go and shout over there. Don’t shout here."

The students also claim that the National Medical Commission (NMC) had asked West Bengal to provide internships to FMGs and that a notice had been issued in this regard.

However, the official could be heard asking for proof and allegedly stating that he would not provide an internship before asking the students to leave.

In a public notice dated June 18, 2025, the West Bengal Health Department invited students who have passed the MBBS or equivalent course outside of India and have already cleared FMGE successfully to apply for an internship at government medical colleges in the state.

However, the students have claimed that despite waiting for 6-7 months, they have not yet been allotted a seat for the internship.

Medical Dialogues earlier reported about this matter, where the foreign medical graduates in West Bengal were still awaiting internship enrolment despite clearing the screening test in June 2025. As a result, the All FMGs Association sought the intervention of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department in this regard.

Sharing the video, the All FMGs Association wrote in the caption, "This is what a member of West Bengal / OSD of Swasthya Bhawan said to FMGs when they asked for an internship after waiting for 6–7 months. Such a ridiculous system. We are not demanding anything extra; we just want our internship to start on time. Sitting at home with an MBBS degree, which could help serve this nation and treat many patients, makes us feel helpless. Where is this country heading?"

The association pointed out that many FMGs in the state have been waiting for months to begin their mandatory internship, which is required for registration and further medical practice in India.

The issue comes in the wake of ongoing concerns of FMGs across several states regarding delays in internship allotment and pending stipends.

Also read- WB FMGs await internship months after clearing screening test, seek CM Banerjee's intervention