Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 2: With the move set to improve healthcare and academics, the Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara has secured approval for 24 Diplomate of National Board (DNB) seats in seven key departments.
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Officials told Excelsior that the process had been underway for some time and that final approval has now been accorded to the GMC to start DNB courses in these specialities.
The approved departments include five seats in Medicine, two in Surgery, five in Paediatrics, four in Pathology, two in Pharmacology, two in Social and Preventive Medicine, and four in Anaesthesia.
Details suggested that this is the highest approval granted in J&K for 2025.
The GMC is also expecting approval for diploma courses in various specialities, likely within the next month.
“We have been working on and the process has been going on for the last nearly six months; for the diplomas, the assessors have visited the Medical College, however, for that the approval is awaited,” Dr Aijaz Ahmad, Medical Superintendent, GMC Handwara, said.
Notably, officials informed that inspections for Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine departments for DNB seats have been conducted, but the assessment is still awaited.
Once cleared, it will further increase the number of seats and the departments offering PG programs.
In addition to DNB seats, as per officials, diploma seats are also expected in Gynaecology, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics, and Radiology.
Inspections have been conducted and assessments are expected within four weeks, according to officials.
The approval, granted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) after assessing the necessary requirements for starting the course at the Medical College, will remain valid for the next four years, until 2029.
Officials said the launch of these PG courses in various specialities, apart from enhancing academics, will also positively impact healthcare services offered to people in the far off area.
“It is a border area and far-off place; getting approval for these seats will certainly be a game changer for the overall healthcare setup in the district.” They noted that doctors from different places will come here for their PGs, and it will certainly improve the healthcare services offered to people.
Officials further noted that the start of these courses will increase manpower and the number of doctors, who will work as PG students.
“This is a great achievement and that too in a far-off place. It is definitely going to have an impact,” they said.
Pertinently, the DNB is a postgraduate medical qualification awarded by NBEMS, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
It is considered equivalent to MD/MS and DM/MCh degrees awarded by the universities in the country and is recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
The program aims to standardize postgraduate medical education, improve specialist training, and strengthen healthcare delivery, especially in peripheral and underserved areas.
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