PANJIM/MAPUSA: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has sought an explanation from Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) Dean Dr Pradeep Naik for the delay in applying for the upgradation of PG Diploma seats to MD and MS in the college.
The Union Health Ministry had issued a public notification for Medical Colleges stating they could upgrade diploma seats to MD and MS seats, and the application deadline was January 25, 2019.
“I would like to know why GMC did not comply with the same. I would like to know from the Dean whether an application for the same was made from our side. Due to this non-compliance, the current and future batch of students lost out on the opportunity of at least 22 upgraded MD and MS seats,” Rane said in his note to the Dean.
He said the State had lost out on a golden opportunity to get additional specialists and this is not acceptable. “Dean may please do the needful to at least see to it that the upgradation for Goa is considered before the fresh seat matrix is displayed for the second round of PG admissions to be held in next few weeks and give an explanation for the delay,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Students Union of India (NSUI), Goa unit, has condemned GMC management for not applying for upgradation of diploma seats which has come as a major disappointment to the MBBS students.
“They missed the opportunity to increase the number of its doctoral and master seats. The Medical Council of India came out with a circular for upgradation of seats where the last date to apply was January 25, 2019, but it is really very disappointing to know that Goa Medical College has been so irresponsible that they have not even applied for the same,” NSUI said in a press release.
Dr Gaurav Jha, an MBBS student at GMC and national delegate for NSUI, pointed out that the failure to upgrade 26 diploma seats would lead to shortage of Post Graduate doctors.
