Doctors’ stir may hit MCI nod for increase in number of seats

JACGDA, as a part of the protest against the government, boycotted all MCI’s inspections that was held to increase the number of seats in medical colleges.

Terming it as a call for trouble, a doctor of one of the Government Hospitals, on condition of anonymity said that representatives of the MCI tried to complete inspection in various medical colleges across the State to ensure that there were adequate facilities and staff before the State’s request of increasing the number of medicals seats were met. “However, members of the JACGDA boycotted these inspections. This may affect the State’s request for more medical seats.”

Dr K Senthil, Chairman of the Association, said, “It is one of the ways we have chosen to protest. The protest may affect the decision of increasing the number of seats. However, if the government is keen on increasing the number of seats, they can call MCI for inspections again after fulfilling our demands.”

He further said that it was not a one-time affair. As of now, there were around 1.10 lakh medical practitioners and and another 1.30 lakh registered doctors in the State. There are 1 lakh doctors who are below 60 years and practising. 

“For a population of eight crore people, we have at least one doctor per 650 patients, which is above the World Health Organisation standards. Therefore, increasing the number of MBBS seats is not the only solution. We are merely over saturating the State with doctors.”

A health official said, “We held a meeting recently where the protesters assured that the inspection will not be affected. Discussions in this regard are on.”

It may be noted that at present, the State has 22 government medical colleges offering 2,750 MBBS seats, 13 self-financing medical colleges and nearly 10 deemed universities. 

The State applied for an increase in 100 seats each in Tirunelveli and Madurai Medical Colleges and MCI inspections are being conducted in this regard.