Jammu: Against the backdrop of Medical Council of India’s decision of refusing to go ahead to start classes at sanctioned Government Medical College in Doda district of the state, the residents have expressed resentment and cried over the decision asserting that this belt is in utmost need of health infrastructure.

Pertinent to mention here that the MCI had announced allotment of 100 MBBS seats each to four other new medical colleges, comprising Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri and Kathua, but GMC-Doda was put on the waiting list.

“After conducting an inspection recently at the main campus site in Ghat village near Doda and visiting the makeshift campus in the town, the MCI refused to go ahead with the start of a batch,” sources here said.

They said that the MCI team was not satisfied with the pace of construction of the main campus and the recruitment of the requisite teaching faculty and other staff.

“The MCI team sought assurance from the state government of completing the construction of the main campus of GMC Doda within a year, but none came forward with the commitment following which the decision of suspending the classes was taken,” sources added.

“Earlier it was promised to hand over Letter of Permission (LOP) for 50 seats to Doda GMC but, denial on this, was a major setback for the faculty and the locals as well, who left dejected,” sources asserted.

From other four sanctioned GMCs, Doda being a far flung area and having tough terrain, much prone to accidents, should have been allotted seats for the start of first batch, they said and added that the government should have appointed staff, raised infrastructure and provided all other basic facilities before the visit of MCI in the betterment of the Doda residents.

“Sometimes unable to reach to Jammu to avail better health facilities after covering a long distance, the patients especially the accident victims succumb on their way,” sources said adding that had the government appointed specialists in Doda, the patients do not have to rush to Jammu or elsewhere for treatment.

“Apart from raising health infrastructure, the government should also provide better road connectivity for easy travel,” they said.

Sources further added that after not handing over LOP to the GMC Doda, the already deputed staff, is eyeing their adjustment in different GMCs or outside instead of serving in District Hospital, due to which Doda District Hospital, will not have expert medicos to treat the patients.

Sources further said that the local students wanted to pursue carrier in medical profession and were also hopeful of getting accommodated in their hometown after completing MBBS and serve their people but goal is now a distant dream.

“The Government can invite doctors from others states while infrastructure should be made as per the guide lines of MCI and thereafter LOP can be moved to MCI for further approval,” they added.

“People of the entire Erstwhile Doda district, comprising Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, are disappointed with the decision of the MCI of denying MBBS seats to GMC-Doda,” sources said.

The members of Thathri Development Front, District Doda also rued decision of denying seats to GMC Doda during current session.

The members urged upon the Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is MP from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary Constituency, to use his office in starting 100 seats admission for Doda Medical College as well.

However, on the contrary, about 100 medical students will be enrolled in GMC Kathua from first week of August in its maiden session for which the district administration is working hard to put in place all requisite arrangements.

Meanwhile, official sources told UNI that all seats would be reserved for J&K residents and 50 per cent seats would be reserved for female aspirants as per the MBBS Admission Policy in the State.

The Union Health Ministry in 2014 announced five new medical colleges in five districts to boost the health sector in the state.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma on Thursday visited Government Medical College Doda and reviewed the progress on various ongoing development works.

He took stock of ongoing works in the GMC like construction of column structure of administrative and academic block, block masonry and allied works.

Div Com directed the concerned officers to work in double shifts to ensure timely completion of all the development works being executed in the GMC. (UNI)