SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Oct 19: The Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, has urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) to take immediate action on the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) survey report that exposes the declining standards in newly established medical colleges and the worsening conditions faced by resident doctors across India.
In a press statement, the JDA said that while numerous new medical colleges have been set up in recent years, many fail to meet the minimum standards prescribed by the NMC. The association highlighted that in Jharkhand, three new medical colleges — PJMCH, SBMCH, and MMCH — were opened in 2019. However, even after six years, these institutions continue to suffer from inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of faculty, and a lack of basic amenities.
“These shortcomings are simply unacceptable,” the JDA stated.
FAIMA Survey Reveals Widespread Deficiencies
According to the FAIMA national survey, which covered medical colleges in 28 states and two union territories, around 56% of MBBS students lack access to functional skills laboratories. Furthermore, 50% of medical interns do not receive their stipends on time, and nearly 74% of students report being burdened with excessive clerical work.
“It is shocking that despite repeated appeals from medical professionals, the NMC has turned a deaf ear to resident doctors’ concerns. This continued inaction risks causing a systemic collapse of both medical education and resident welfare,” the JDA added.
JDA’s Five Demands to the NMC
In light of the FAIMA findings, the JDA has submitted a set of five key demands for the NMC and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to address urgently. These include:
Strict enforcement of infrastructure and faculty standards across all medical institutions.
Immediate intervention by the Union Health Ministry.
Establishment of a national-level grievance redressal mechanism for resident doctors.
Improvement in working conditions, welfare, and safety of resident doctors.
Regular monitoring and accountability of newly opened medical colleges.
Resident Doctors: The Backbone of Healthcare
The JDA emphasised that resident doctors are “not just the backbone of the healthcare system, but also the future of Indian medical education.” Neglecting their welfare, the association warned, would amount to “a betrayal of the entire healthcare system.”
