PANAJI: Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital is waiting for the government’s response to initiate action against medical students who have refused to attend their internships for extra two-and-a-half months after they completed a regular 12-month internship on March 17.
“We have informed the government about the matter and are waiting to hear from it to take the next step,” said GMC dean Dr S M Bandekar in his reply to a query on what action will be taken against the interns who have refused an additional period of internship. As of Friday, 130 interns had not joined the duty.
The GMC authorities and students’ representatives had a few meetings, but the stalemate continues as they have laid down “unreasonable” conditions while negotiating, said the head of a department (HoD).
Bandekar said the internship period was extended after the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued the advisory to medical colleges in the country that students be given hands-on training since they were robbed of that opportunity as they were posted on Covid duties throughout the year.
The students in their representation to the college, pointed out that the NMC advisory was issued in December 2020 yet the order extending their internship was issued on the last day of their internship.
The students have put forth three conditions before the college for agreeing to the extra internship — first, permanent medical registration, which is due for issue on March 18, 2021, be immediately released. Second, the additional period of internship completed be deducted from their 12-month bond, and third, they be paid Rs 60,000 a month, the salary paid to junior residents.
Another HoD said except the demand the additional period of internship be adjusted towards bond service, other two are unreasonable. “They must remember it is only after satisfactory completion of their internship, that college will issue their permanent medical registration even if they have completed 12months of internship,” he said.
During the first phase of the pandemic most of the time they did only Covid duties. “They got zero exposure in other departments. Covid will pass off after two years but other skills an intern learns will be required throughout his/her career. If they lack basic skill what work will they do when they serve as bond doctors?” the HoD said.
The GMC authorities and the students’ representatives have had a few meetings, but the stalemate continues as they have laid down “unreasonable” conditions while negotiating, the head of a department said