IIOJK Medical seats up for grabs for Indians, doctors, civil society resent order
Srinagar, October 04 (KMS): The Modi government’s order to grant 50% post-graduate (PG) seats at Government Medical College (GMC) and all seats of Soura Institute of Medical Sciences to Indian citizens has angered doctors and civil society members in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to the anti-Kashmir move, Kashmiri doctors and civil society members termed it an infringement of Kashmiris’ right to higher education. They added that the order would also affect health care services in IIOJK.
Resident Doctors Association (RDA) GMC Srinagar General Secretary Dr Faisal said that a doctor who pursues PG from any institution outside J&K has to give a written bond that he will work in the same institution for 4-6 years after completing his degree. But such rules do not exist here until now.
He said that when a doctor from outside IIOJK would complete degree, he would leave J&K and work outside, triggering shortage of specialists.
Dr Muzzafar spokesperson of RDA GMC Srinagar said that the order is detrimental to the aspirations of medical students and if implemented, will harm the interests of the aspiring PG candidates of Jammu and Kashmir. “Patient-doctor ratio is already grim here and if this order is implemented in such conditions, there will definitely be a shortage of specialists,” he added.
President Doctor Association of Kashmir Dr Nisarul Hassan said that surrendering these seats will jeopardize the careers of local aspiring doctors and will open flood gates for outsiders and impact us. “Outsiders will steal our seats only and are not going to benefit us as they will leave J&K once they complete the degree and are going to impact the patient care ultimately and the number of specialists will be less,” he added.
Dr Nisar demanded that the government reserve all seats for J&K aspirants only as of now as J&K students won’t be able to compete in all India level due to lack of exposure.
Meanwhile, President Civil Society Forum Qayoom Wani said pooling of 50 percent PG quota for Indians will affect health care and it will directly affect efficiency of doctors.
“It is injustice with local aspiring doctors as it is going to freeze their opportunities,” he said.
