Doctors’ association seeks law to ensure medical seats only for students from State

The Doctors’ Association for Social Equality is calling for the State government to urge the Central government to enact a legislation that would ensure superspecialty courses offered by State government medical colleges were available only for students of that State.

“The Supreme Court is attempting to open superspecialty courses offered in Tamil Nadu government medical colleges to candidates across the country. This would mean that if all of Tamil Nadu’s 189 superspecialty courses are open to all, students of our State may not benefit from them. Already, 15 per cent of MBBS seats and 50 per cent of postgraduate seats are in all-India pool. Why should the superspecialty courses too be offered, when there are no steps taken by other States to set up medical colleges,” asked G. R. Ravindranath, general secretary of the association.

As of now, superspecialty courses offered in the State are open to those domiciled in Tamil Nadu or to those who have completed their postgraduation here. Dr. Ravindranath said Tamil Nadu’s students have been benefiting from superspecialty courses offered here, but this would change if the Supreme Court ruling came into place.

“Already, 15 per cent of MBBS seats and 50 per cent of postgraduate seats are in all-India pool”