Low Number Of Seats Impacts Super Specialty Training In State; Only 79 DM, MCh Seats In MP Medical Colleges

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Government medical colleges in the state lag behind in super specialty training, as there are only 79 DM (doctorate in medicine) and Master of Chirurgiae (MCh) seats.

Surrounding states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat have more seats for super speciality in their medical colleges. Maharashtra has 382 while Rajasthan has 330 and Gujarat has 126 DM seats.

According to health department sources, there should have been twice the number of existing DM and MCH seats in Madhya Pradesh. The availability of adequate infrastructure is a critical factor in ensuring high-quality medical education for DM/MCh students and producing competent specialists. As per the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, there should be adequate research facilities and resources to support research projects undertaken by DM/MCh students. Qualified and experienced faculty members are crucial for providing effective training and mentorship to DM/MCh students.

To become a professor, it requires 15 years of teaching and/or research experience in the specialty after obtaining the DM/MCh degree. For associate professor, it requires 6-8 years of experience after obtaining the DM/MCh degree and four to five years teaching experience.

Dr Arvind Sharma, medical superintendent of NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, said, “There must be sound infrastructure in the institute as far as class teaching and ward-teaching are concerned for DM level students. There must be technical and para-medical support in addition. Then DM seats are allotted in the institution.”

Jain Narayan Chauksey, chairman of LNCT group, said, “For each seat, we need three professors at DM level and they are paid huge salaries so it is a very costly affair.”

Madhya Pradesh Medical Teachers Association (MTA) president Dr Rakesh Malviya said, “To apply for a DM seat in a particular department, a medical college should have a sound academic as well as supportive infrastructure.

To teach at DM level, professors of all three categories (assistant professor, associate professor, or professor) should have DM degrees with teaching experience. Besides, there must be sound supportive paramedical staff, labs and equipment. On the basis of all this, the central government allots seats in medical colleges.”