Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 17: A group of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) today held a protest in the Press Enclave, demanding an increase in the number of internship seats available for qualified doctors.
The protest, organized by FMGs who have been granted a license to practice medicine in India, highlighted the shortage of internship opportunities in the Valley.
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According to the FMGs, while there are just 230 seats available for interns in Kashmir, there are 400 qualified doctors who have passed the Foreign Medical Graduate exam and have been granted a license to practice medicine anywhere in India.
“We cannot go back to where we did our MBBS and at the same time, we are unable to take up internships in other states due to regulations; we appeal to the Dean Academics, Kashmir University, Principal, GMC, Anantnag, Srinagar and Baramulla to take up the matter with the NMC so that the seats are increased and all the qualified doctors are accommodated for the internship,” said Dr Binsha Beigh said.
The protestors argued that the shortage of doctors in Kashmir was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic and that it was essential for all qualified doctors to be accommodated for internships in the region.
“The concerned authorities must take up the matter with the NMC so that we are accommodated without any further delay. The same situation was faced by several other states; however, they have increased the seats to ensure that all the FMGs are accommodated. We also seek the same because, this is not employment, but rather, it is training where we would be serving our people,” the protestors said.
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