With the focus on punctuating hitherto neglected cities and areas of the Union Territory with the facilities of imparting medical and other higher education, we are on the path of having a new relook into the entire scenario in respect of the medical education. Why should not , therefore, besides the twin capital cities of the Union Territory, efforts be made towards undergoing a turnaround by increasing the opportunities of more and more medical students getting the education facilities in and nearby the far flung areas with a vision to have their services utilised in such areas after being rolled out as Doctors from such institutions. For instance, Doda in Jammu region is a vast area but is relatively not only economically backward but had so far no Medical College for the students of this district until in 2020 when first of such Government college affiliated to Jammu university was established. In this connection , in such a short span of time , that it could start MBBS courses for the eligible students goes to the credit of the UT administration and the management of this college. The first batch of 100 students were initiated (the event inaugurated) into the maiden course of MBBS on February 27 by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. This can rightly be called as an epoch – making development in its own stead looking to the vast area of Doda having been neglected in this respect so far. We also note with satisfaction that there were now two Degree Colleges also in Doda, hence students would no longer be going to far off places like Bhadarwah and Udhampur for studies. Kathua , Doda and Udhampur – the combined single parliamentary constituency was sanctioned in 2020, three Medical Colleges, a rare development in any part of the country .
If arguments are put forward that for building infrastructure of a medical institution, lot of capital is required, it holds not enough water as the times have changed for the better where in lesser space and with limited ambiance, professional colleges can be set up . Expenses on erecting huge buildings with a vast layout and other avoidable paraphernalia can vastly be scissored depending upon proper planning while absolutely necessary equipments, laboratories and other wherewithal provided and faculty too could be engaged on contract basis till proper posts etc were created and filled. What we want to convey is that should there be the political will coupled with proper planning , there is no reason that much required professional institutions like the Medical College in Doda could not come up. We are still reeling under acute shortage of Doctors in the country and even if on comparative basis, we in Jammu and Kashmir are better placed, still the shortage is felt especially in our rural areas and worst is the position in hilly and far flung areas. So, what is required is to have more of such institutions in or near such areas to have a reasonable spread to ensure such areas got services of the trained Doctors at their door steps . Only then, can we proudly say that the country was marching on the path of progress, at least in the most important medical and health sector.
While we congratulate the first batch of the MBBS students of Government Medical College Doda, we expect that after taking their degrees and qualifying as Doctors, they would prefer to serve the areas of Doda itself as this region aspires for that, especially those areas where medical facilities are inadequate in terms of Health Centres and providing of the qualified Doctors in such health institutions .
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