Over 150 FMGs in WB awaiting internship allotment, Medicos urge state intervention

Kolkata: More than 150 medical graduates from abroad, who have cleared the mandatory screening test, i.e. Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE), are waiting to get enrolled into the internship programme in West Bengal.

Recently, around 20 students went to the Swasthya Bhavan to highlight this issue before the authorities, and they were told that there are not adequate seats available to enrol the FMGs.

Amid this situation, the All FMGs Association (AFA) has urged the Chief Minister of Bengal, as well as the Bengal Health Department, to take immediate action to resolve the matter.

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AFA mentioned in an X post, "Over 150 FMGs who have cleared FMGE are still waiting for internship in West Bengal. Upon visiting Swasthya Bhawan, authorities have stated that there aren’t enough seats available. We urge Hon’ble CM @MamataOfficial and @wbdhfw to take immediate action to resolve this issue and facilitate internship allotments without further delay. We also appeal to @NMC_BHARAT to address the internship seat shortage for FMGs across India. It has been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic, yet @NMC_BHARAT has not made adequate arrangements for FMG's internships,shows the real side of medical system."

In the representation submitted to the State Director of Medical Education, under the West Bengal Health Department, the medical graduates from abroad requested the Government for the allocation of internship placements in government medical colleges and hospitals across West Bengal at the earliest possible opportunity.

"As per the guidelines of the National Medical Commission (NMC), we are eligible and willing to commence our Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal. However, we are presently awaiting official notification regarding the availability of internship vacancies and the subsequent allotment process," the letter mentioned.

"Considering the approaching academic timelines and the importance of timely completion of internship training for our professional progression, we kindly request your good office to expedite the process of internship allotment. We would also be grateful if details regarding the expected number of available vacancies could be communicated to us to help facilitate proper coordination and planning," it further added.

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Kaushal from the All FMGs Association told Medical Dialogues, "The Swasthya Bhavan authorities have informed the students that no seats are available right now and they will arrange seats for the January 2026 session. However, after receiving the representation from the students, they have assured to look into the matter."

Pointing out how FMGs across the country have been suffering due to an inadequate number of internship seats, Dr. Kaushal added, "It is mainly the inadequate number of seats that is the reason for the suffering of the FMGs. My question to NMC is why the Commission is not asking the State Medical Councils to arrange extra seats?"

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