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Punjab: Post evacuation, medical students from Ukraine stare at uncertain future
Though the National Medical Commission (NMC), in a notification issued on March 4, said that foreign medical graduates whose internships are pending due to compelling situations, like war, are eligible to complete the remaining part of their internship in India, there are no directions for those in the initial years of their course
Having made it out of the war zone in Ukraine, hundreds of medical students now stare at another trouble – an uncertain future.
Though the National Medical Commission (NMC), in a notification issued on March 4, said that foreign medical graduates whose internships are pending due to compelling situations, like war, are eligible to complete the remaining part of their internship in India, there are no directions for those in the initial years of their course.
Ukrainian medical universities offer a six-year degree, which includes one-year internship.
Arjun Batish, a fourth-year MBBS student at Kharkiv National Medical University, said he doesn’t know what the future holds for him as he has had no contact with his institute, Kharkiv University, after evacuation.
“I had gone to Ukraine to fulfill my dream of becoming a medical professional but life took an unexpected turn,” said Arjun, who reached his village in Chhintawala, Patiala, on Tuesday.
Arjun’s father Harish Kumar said the central government must come up with a plan so that students can complete their degrees in India.
“It is important to secure the future of our children, who spent crucial years of their lives studying medicine in Ukraine. Moreover, a lot of money has already been invested towards their education,” he said.
Jagpal Singh, father of a fifth-year student in Kharkiv University, said, “My daughter, Sawandeep Kaur, was in the final years of her education when the situation turned critical. I have spent nearly ₹35 lakh on my daughter’s education. It is important to deal with this situation sensitively as students, who have been evacuated, have already gone through a lot of trauma. Now, the uncertainty of their future adds to their worries.”
Anmol Gupta, a fourth-year student, said the government must take immediate steps to secure their future.
