Diploma courses offered at GMC converted into degree courses
Health Ministry directs MCI to provide approval
Srinagar: In a move to improve the academics at Govt Medical College (GMC), Srinagar to level next in various departments, the Union Health Ministry has nodded the conversion of various diploma courses at GMC, Srinagar into full-fledged degree courses, while asking the MCI to consider the decision.
In a letter, a copy of which is lying with ‘Kashmir Vision’, the government directed the Board of Directors of Medical Council of India (MCI) to consider the request of converting diploma courses into full-fledged degree courses.
“I am directed to enclose herewith following applications received from the Medical Colleges requesting to surrender Diploma Courses and conversion of Diploma Seats into Postgraduate Degree Seats in light of MCI’s notification dated 12.07-2019 and to say that the Competent authority has approved the request of the Colleges for discontinuation of Diploma courses from the year 2019-20 and restricting recognition of the diploma courses to the batches admitted upon the academic session 2018-19. Necessary notifications have been issued,” the letter reads.
As per the letter, for Government Medical College, the diplomas offered by the GMC in Obstetrics & Gynecology (DG), Anesthesia (DA), Diploma in Ophthalmology (DO) will now be converted into full-fledged Degree courses.
Principal GMC, Dr Samia Rashid told ‘Kashmir Vision’ that they had requested the concerned to consider surrender of the diploma courses being offered at GMC in various departments and convert the same as Degree Courses.
“We had requested them to convert the diploma courses into degree courses, and finally they have accepted our request, which I think will bring about a great change,” she said.
The GMC, as per the letter, will have 12 MD seats in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 6 in Anesthesia and 1 in Ophthalmology, which earlier used to be Diploma Courses, Dr Samia said while adding the incase of Dermatology it was already sanctioned.
Dr Samia said that it was good step and will help a great deal into upgrading the academics at GMC in various departments.
“It will help a great deal, imagine diploma converted into a degree course, it will surely upgrade the academics in the institution and will also elevate the departments which will now have MD degrees, creating new avenues of research and teaching,” she said.
“The request of the Colleges for conversion of Diploma Courses into Degree Courses and Undertaking along with Ministry’s Notifications are forwarded herewith for processing the matter as per the notification dated 12.07.2018,” directs Under Secretary to the Govt of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Irfan Tramboo
