Medical colleges approved by SC panel on the sick bed, gasping for life
INVESTIGATION HT visited some SC panelapproved colleges after receiving info that they lacked infrastructure to train medical students
NEW DELHI: After receiving complaints from a section of senior medical practitioners that some medical colleges approved by the SC-appointed oversight committee lacked infrastructure to train students, HT conducted an independent investigation in five colleges. Before that, HT also obtained the MCI’s inspection report and colleges’ affidavit for compliance (filed between June 15 to June 22) through an application under RTI.
This is what prevails in the five colleges: MCI assessment report: The report (December 18 & 19, 2015 and May 6, 2016) highlighted 86.15% deficiency of faculty, 89.13% shortage of resident doctors, 0% bed occupancy and inadequate patients and consultants.
KMCollegeaffidavitforcompliance:ThecollegecounteredMCI’s assessment report saying deficiencyoffacultyandresidentswas not more than 5% and bed occupancy was more than 60%. OPD attendance was more than 600.
HT’s investigation: HT reached KM College on September 20, 2016 between 1 PM to 3 PM. Situated in a sparsely-populated area, the hospital lacked infrastructure. Except 6 patients in the emergency, the rest — operation theatre (OT), intensive care unit (ICU), in-patient department (IPD) — were either locked or empty.
College response: “I don’t agree with your inspection as I know I fulfil all the norms. Whatever shortcomings are there, we will take step to rectify,” said Kishan Chaudhary, chairman. MCI assessment report: The December 9 & 10, 2015 report said deficiency of faculty is 84.61%, shortage of resident doctors 89.13% OPD attendance on the day of assessment was nil and bed occupancy was zero.
NC College affidavit for compliance: The college denied MCI assessment and said it has adequatefacultyandresidents,OPDis operational with daily 650 attendanceandthebedoccupancyis69%.
HT Investigation: HT visited the college on September 21 around 11am and found the hospital well-maintained. However, there were hardly 20-25 patients admitted. Both emergency OT and minor OT were locked and six patients were admitted in the emergency ward. There were 50 to 80 patients in OPDs.
College response: “There is no shortage of doctors. Still, we are trying to live up to the expectations of the OC,” said the college spokesperson. MCI assessment report: The report, dated January 12 and 13 2016, points out deficiency of faculty and residents 93.85% and 97.83% respectively. There was no medical superintendent in the hospital and residents were not staying in the campus. Bed occupancy was 1%.
WorldCollegeaffidavitforcompliance: Rejecting MCI’s report, the college claims full strength of faculty and residents. “Medical superintendentwasappointedand residents are in hostel. Bed occupancy is more than 60%.
HT Investigation: HT visited the hospital on September 21 (between 2:30 to 4pm) and found it in good condition. However, emergency ward was empty and hospital’s bed occupancy was between 10% to 20%.
College response: “There is a scope of improvement in bed occupancy which we will improve,” said Narendra Singh, chairman. MCI assessment report: The MCI assessment report, dated December 18 & 19, 2016, says the hospital was locked. The deficiency of faculty and residents was 98.46% and 100%respectively.Bedoccupancy and OPD attendance was zero.
Venkateshwara College affidavit: The college said that due to students’ agitation on December 14, 2015 the college campus was closed and students, teachers and other staff were asked to vacate the campus.
HT Investigation: When HT visited the hospital on September 22, 2016 between 1:30pm to 3pm, it was virtually locked. When this correspondent interacted with a nursing staff, she informed that noneofthepatientsadmittedinthe gynaecology ward had any health complications. Some of them had mildailmentslikestomachacheor headache.OTwasemptyandICU, ICCU, NICU, PICU were locked.
College response: “We are aware of shortcomings and are in the process of acquiring all the facilities,” said Prof Madhusudan, vice chancellor, Venkateshwara University.