THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: National Medical Commission has decided to allow PG courses offered in medical colleges in govt district and general hospitals as well. The Medical Commission decided to introduce the course by amending the regulation for PG courses. Courses like MD and MS can be started in 17 district and 16 general hospitals in Kerala, which have more patients and have more treatment departments. At least 300 seats may be available.

Mohanan Kunnummal, Medical Commission member and Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Health Sciences, told Kerala Kaumudi that PG courses will be allowed next year if the government applies after preparing adequate facilities. With this, the treatment departments in the district and general hospitals will expand. Service of more doctors will also be available.

The criteria of the commission are that there should be important treatment departments including surgery, medical, anaesthesia and gynaecology. Most of the district and general hospitals in Kerala have these. There will be a maximum of only 15 seats in a batch. So there will be no need to build big classrooms or hostels. The condition is that the 300-bed hospital should have major treatment departments and testing facilities like CT scan and MRI. PG courses are available in government, private medical colleges and Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Center.

Shortage of Doctors will change

• With the arrival of PG students in the district and general hospitals, the shortage of doctors will be over. 24-hour service will be available.
• Common people will also get the benefit of improved treatment and consultation facilities.
• Top rankers in the NEET exam are the ones who get admission in Govt seats. Hence, better service.

"It is good for Kerala to have PG courses in district and general hospitals. We will get courses in our hospitals if we apply.'

- Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, Medical Commission Member

PG Top 4

• Gynaecology
• Paediatrics
• General Medicine
• General surgery