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04.15.08 (2 months ago)
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MCI’s ‘derecognition’ of KMC puts students at crossroads
Sources in Health Ministry say that the MCI does not have the authority to derecognise any medical college. They can only recommend to Central government.
FROM RONALD ANIL FERNANDES
DH NEWS SERVICE, MANGALORE:
The official website of Medical Council of India (MCI) states that it has recommended de-recognition of both Kasturba Medical College (KMC) in Mangalore and Manipal, putting a number of KMC medical graduates, especially those who are trying to get into the US, in the dock.
The incident came to light when one of the KMC student’s application for the USMLE
(United States Medical Licensing Exam - the eligibility to practice in the US) was delayed citing the reason that “as per ECFMG, the MCI has not recognised KMC Mangalore.” The ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) maintains a list of all the ‘recognised’ foreign medical schools, including the MCI list.
The student, who did not want his name to be mentioned, stated that “the sole aim of nearly 200 medical students studying in the campuses of MAHE
(Manipal Academy of Higher Education) by paying almost US $ 90000 for the course is to practice medicine in the US.”
The problem
It is learnt that in 2001, because of some internal conflict, the MCI had recommended to the government of India to derecognise KMC Mangalore and Manipal, citing the reason that the KMC was violating the norms by admitting more than allocated students under NRI quota. Though nothing happened for a long time since then, the MCI in a recent update of its website, removed KMC Mangalore and Manipal from the list of ‘recognised’ medical colleges, despite the Ministry not taking any such steps.
When checked on Saturday, neither KMC Mangalore nor KMC Manipal figured in the recognised medical colleges of MCI. As many as 19 medical colleges in Karnataka have been recognised for MBBS course, as per the website. Meanwhile, when the student contacted the ECFMG on this matter, they said they were ready to accept a fax letter from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informing that KMC Mangalore is fully recognised following which they would go ahead and update their list.
“All I need is one fax from MCI/ Ministry to expedite my application,” he said and added that the issue of recognition might also affect the present students of KMC Mangalore and Manipal as the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) has listed only Graduation Years 1955 - 2003 as eligible and 2004 graduates as not eligible for the ECFMG exams.
MAHE
VC surprised
When contacted, MAHE
Vice Chancellor Dr H S Ballal said he too was aware of the issue and expressed surprise over the MCI move.
“They should have at least informed us before making such a recommendation. In fact, KMC has been ranked No. 1 college in India in a recent survey,” he said. Stating that the MAHE
has written to MCI seeking the reason behind such a move, Dr Ballal said “our (MAHE
) President (Dr Ramdas Pai) will be meeting health ministry officials regarding this matter soon.”
On the contrary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s website (http://mohfw.nic.in/Amedical.html) shows that KMC is allowed to admit students, implying its fully recognised.
At crossroads
Despite the KMC being ranked as one of the top colleges in India for several years, the move by a top medical body in India has left hundreds of meritorious students at the crossroads.
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