Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 29: Ending suspense over the possible increase in number of PG seats in J&K Medical Colleges, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has approved enhancement of 70 more PG seats in different disciplines (Clinical Subjects) for the Government Medical Colleges in the State from the current session.
According to a Government of India communication, in this regard, 20 seats have been increased in SKIMS, Soura, 37 in Government Medical College Srinagar and only 13 in Government Medical College Jammu, as per technical norms and student-faculty ration in these institutions.
With the increase from this session, the total number of seats in GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar, has gone up to 158 and 148 respectively.
In GMC Jammu, three seats have increased each in MS (OBG), MS(ENT) and MS (General Surgery) while two seats have increased each in MD (DVL) and MD( Pediatrics).
In GMC Srinagar, five seats have increased in MD (Paediatrics) and four in MS ( General Surgery) while 28 Diploma seats have been converted into PG seats.
In Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, nine PG seats have been increased in MD (Radio-Diagnosis), six in MD(Anaesthesia), two in MS(Orthopaedics) and one each in MS (OBG) and MS(Ophthalmology).
Dr Zahid Gillani, then Principal of GMC Jammu, who had submitted the proposal for enhancement of PG seat, told the Excelsior that Departments of Radiology and Medicine did not cooperate him in furnishing required details of their respective units and thus GMC Jammu failed to get around 30 Diploma seats converted into PG seats. In GMC Jammu, there are total 33 Diploma seats.
The Medical Council of India had recommended on March 20, 2017 for increase of PG (Broad Specialty) seats in Clinical Subjects of Government Medical Colleges for 2017-18 and the proposal was approved today by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Minister for Health and Medical Education, J&K Government, Bali Bhagat was personally camping in New Delhi for getting the seat enhancement proposal through.
It may be recalled that MCI on the request of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, had invited applications or enhancement of PG seats in Clinical subject from the current academic session, after which Principals of both the Government Medical Colleges in J&K and Director SKIMS had submitted the details of faculty position and infrastructure available with them.
The increase in number of PG seats was offered following amendment in Clause 12(1) of the ‘Postgraduate Medical Education Regulation, 2000′ vide notification dated 31-01-2017 for revision of teacher-student ratio. As per the amendment, the students teacher ratio in public funded Government Medical Colleges, was revised to 1: 3 for Professor and 1:2 for Associate Professor. Earlier, a Professor could take only one PG student and Associate Professor was also allowed one PG student. However, the relaxation was extended for Government funded Medical Colleges only and it was not applicable to all clinical subjects.
As the GMC Jammu failed to respond timely and there was some delay in submitting the required details with the MCI, the State Government had removed then Principal Zahid Gillani.
Meanwhile, according to an official spokesman, Minister for Health and Medical education, J&K Government, Bali Bhagat held a meeting with Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Jai Prakash Nadda who revealed about the enhancement of PG seats in J&K.
Mr Bali held wide-ranging discussion on the overall Health scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and drew the attention of Union Minister towards the issues of prominence that need to be prioritized to improve the patient care. The issues, which figured in the meeting included, release of balance funds under PMDP, reimbursement of non-Plan budget under Family Welfare Scheme, expediting formal sanction and release of funds for Medical College, Doda, release of funds for State Cancer Institutes, establishment/upgradation of drug testing laboratories in the State, release of funds for three Tertiary Care Cancer Centres, establishment of Burn Care Unit at GMC, Jammu and establishment of two AIIMS, one each at Kashmir and Jammu.
J P Nadda informed that the Union Government has flagged Jammu and Kashmir as priority State so far as Health sector is concerned. He said that the remaining amount of Rs 50 crore under PMDP has been released for expeditious completion of various important health projects. He also apprised that the funds to the tune of Rs 44.54 crore under Infrastructure Maintenance Pool on account of salary of staff borne on CSS-Family Welfare Scheme have also been released during the current financial year.
Regarding the establishment of AIIMS in Kashmir and Jammu, the Union Minister revealed that a joint team of officers of Central and State Governments will soon conduct the inspection of proposed sites and take a decision accordingly. Similarly, for setting up of State Cancer Institutes at SKIMS, Soura and GMC, Jammu, a team of experts will visit the State shortly for the on-spot study and take appropriate decision accordingly.
Mr Nadda assured Bali for expeditious disposal of all pending issues relating to the Health sector in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, called for a close synergy between the State officers and Union Ministry for clearing certain technicalities relating to some important projects.
Senior officers of Union Health & Family Welfare Ministry including, Joint Secretary, Arun Singla were present in the meeting.
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