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The Health Ministry has finally responded to the plea raised by the medical practitioners who had received their post-graduate degrees from MCI recognized medical colleges but stuck in the position of senior residents in various medical colleges across the country. The Ministry has asked the MCI board of Governors to look into the matter.

What was the issue?

After MBBS, for post-graduation in many subjects, doctors can opt for either MD/MS of three years or for a PG diploma of 2 years. Both the degrees are almost equal in terms of curriculum, training and MCI requirements of Infrastructure and teaching facilities. The only difference is that the MD/MS students have to dedicate one more year for the Thesis.
But the major disadvantage for the diploma student arises when it comes to job opportunities and future career. MCI norms state that the diploma holders cannot pursue super specialisation through DM/Mch. Similarly, while NBE offers secondary DNB courses post diploma, no such option is available for MD/MS candidates.
Not only in academics but in terms of job opportunities as well, Diploma candidates face hardship. Diploma candidates cannot apply for academic positions at the medical colleges as per MCI norms. Though earlier, they were allowed to work as senior residents at medical colleges, after June 2017 notification, this option has been taken away. But existing senior residents can continue at their existing posts.
Considering the shortage of faculties in the medical colleges, the parliamentary standing committee of health has given the following recommendation.
“Abolish diploma courses, because the only difference between the diploma and degree is the duration of the course and submission of thesis report. Both students are trained by same colleges with the same infrastructure. Instead of diploma courses, increase the number of degree professionals and that will increase the number of teaching faculties.
Medical professionals already qualified diploma courses worked in the teaching hospitals should be given degree after submission of thesis report”.
Noting the issue, MCI has decided to stop all the recognized postgraduate diploma courses in the medical colleges and to give an equal number of MD/MS medical seats in return. Though this decision will benefit the future generation of specialists, it leaves behind thousands of doctors who hold MCI recognised diploma degrees.

What is the demand?

PG Diploma doctors association had written to MCI, prime minister as well as health ministry highlighting the ready army of qualified doctors which can be available for meeting the severe shortage of teaching faculty in the medical colleges. The letter aimed at demanding an avenue for career enhancement.
“I have been working in a medical college since 2002 as a senior resident after completing PG diploma in ophthalmology. In the past 17 years of my service, I have got no promotion and although my knowledge is on par with MD/MS doctors, I am stuck in a post which is equal to MBBS graduate,” said Dr Z A Golewale, president of PG DIploma Doctors Association.
“With the current illogical rules of MCI, I regret joining medical college and feel I could have been better off working in a private sector. Is it not injustice that MCI recognises DNB, MSc PhD and many foreign universities degrees and their own diploma doctors are denied promotions? He asks.
“We have asked the authorities to consider parliamentary standing committee recommendations in this regard. Any policy in this regard would be welcome, as currently we are totally neglected. Around 10000 doctors with a postgraduate diploma degree will be benefited across India and the shortage of Faculty in the medical colleges in India will be reduced significantly”, he added.

Source: https://medicaldialogues.in/promotion-of-diploma-doctors-at-medical-colleges-health-ministry-asks-mci-board-of-governors-to-decide

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