Medical graduates under K'taka govt quota stuck in limbo!

Bengaluru: Aspiring doctors who have completed their medical education under the government quota are facing a daunting roadblock in their career paths. Regulations imposed by the same government quota are preventing them from pursuing their dreams of becoming doctors.

Under the government quota system, medical graduates are obligated to serve in rural hospitals for one year. However, recent changes in regulations have created a deadlock, leaving these graduates unable to begin their careers.

Previously, graduates had the opportunity to register with the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) and work as junior doctors in private or public hospitals while awaiting their rural service postings. Unfortunately, the current regulations have eliminated this opportunity.

Consequently, those who have not completed their rural service are being denied registration with the KMC, despite graduating. This has left approximately 2,500 to 3,000 students who completed their medical degrees and internships under the government quota stranded, with many having already completed their internships and waiting at home for months.

Compounding the issue, these medical graduates face additional challenges in repaying educational loans, with notices demanding repayment reaching their homes. Many individuals have taken loans ranging from Rs 12 to 15 lakhs for their education, further adding to their predicament.

The situation has become increasingly frustrating for these newly graduate doctors, as more than five months have passed since they completed their medical degrees under the government quota, yet no calls for rural service have been made. Furthermore, the KMC refuses to allow them to register without a “No Objection” letter from the medical director, creating an impasse in their career progression.

In response to the situation, Dr. Shamrao B. Patil, KMC Registrar, stated that the council would only grant registration if a no objection certificate (NOC) is issued by the medical director.

D Randeep, Commissioner at the Department of Health And Family Welfare Services, highlighted that postgraduate students are required to serve after completing their degrees and urged them to submit an affidavit regarding their commitment to rural service before admission to these courses.