Medical colleges approved by Supreme Court on the sick bed, gasping for life

After receiving complaints from a section of senior medical practitioners that some medical colleges approved by the SC-appointed oversight committee lacked infrastructure to train students, HT conducted an independent investigation in five colleges. Before that, HT also obtained the MCI’s inspection report and colleges’ affidavit for compliance (filed between June 15 to June 22) through an application under RTI.

After receiving complaints from a section of senior medical practitioners that some medical colleges approved by the SC-appointed oversight committee lacked infrastructure to train students, HT conducted an independent investigation in five colleges. Before that, HT also obtained the MCI’s inspection report and colleges’ affidavit for compliance (filed between June 15 to June 22) through an application under RTI.

Hindustan Times found that the NC Medical College and Hospital, Panipat, was well maintained but hardly had 20-25 patients.(Jeevan Sharma/HT photo)

This is what prevails in the five colleges:

Rama Medical College and Research Centre, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh

MCI assessment report: The report (March 18 & 19 and April 19, 2016) say the college had a 29.41% shortage of resident doctors and senior residents were staying away from the hostel. The outpatient department (OPD) attendance was inflated. Patients admitted had vague complaints and didn’t require admission.

Rama college’s affidavit for compliance: Number of residents are as per MCI norms and OPD has sufficient patients. The patients admitted were genuine on the day of assessment.

HT’s Investigation: HT visited the Rama Medical College on September 17, between 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM and found bed occupancy between 10% to 20%. The private ward was locked and residents’ doctors’ rooms were either empty or locked. There was one patient in the second –floor ICU.

College response: The college didn’t respond to HT’s query.

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KM Medical College and Hospital, Mathura, UP

MCI assessment report: The report (December 18 & 19, 2015 and May 6, 2016) highlighted 86.15% deficiency of faculty, 89.13% shortage of resident doctors, 0% bed occupancy and inadequate patients and consultants.

KM College affidavit for compliance: The college countered MCI’s assessment report saying deficiency of faculty and residents was not more than 5% and bed occupancy was more than 60%. OPD attendance was more than 600.

HT’s investigation: HT reached KM College on September 20, 2016 between 1 PM to 3 PM. Situated in a sparsely-populated area, the hospital lacked infrastructure. Except 6 patients in the emergency, the rest— operation theatre (OT), intensive care unit (ICU), in-patient department (IPD)- - were either locked or empty.

College response: “I don’t agree with your inspection as I know I fulfill all the norms. Whatever shortcomings are there, we will take step to rectify,” said Kishan Chaudhary, chairman.

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NC Medical College and Hospital, Panipat

MCI assessment report: The December 9 & 10, 2015 report said deficiency of faculty is 84.61%, shortage of resident doctors 89.13% OPD attendance on the day of assessment was nil and bed occupancy was zero.

NC College affidavit for compliance: The college denied MCI assessment and said it has adequate faculty and residents, OPD is operational with daily 650 attendance and the bed occupancy is 69%.

HT Investigation: HT visited the college on September 21 around 11 am and found the hospital well-maintained. However, there were hardly 20-25 patients admitted. Both emergency OT and minor OT were locked and six patients were admitted in the emergency ward. There were 50 to 80 patients in OPDs.

College response: “There is no shortage of doctors. Still, we are trying to live up to the expectations of the OC,” said the college spokesperson.

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World College on Medical Science and Research, Jhajhar

MCI assessment report: The report, dated January 12 and 13 2016, points out deficiency of faculty and residents 93.85% and 97.83% respectively. There was no medical superintendent in the hospital and residents were not staying in the campus. Bed occupancy was 1%.

World College affidavit for compliance: Rejecting MCI’s assessment report, the college claims full strength of faculty and residents. “Medical superintendent was appointed and residents are in hostel. Bed occupancy is more than 60%.

HT Investigation: HT visited the hospital on September 21 (between 2:30 to 4:00 PM) and found it in good condition. However, emergency ward was empty and hospital’s bed occupancy was between 10% to 20%.

College response: “There is a scope of improvement in bed occupancy which we will improve,” said Narendra Singh, chairman.

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Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences, Gajraula

MCI assessment report: The MCI assessment report, dated December 18 & 19, 2016, says the hospital was locked. The deficiency of faculty and residents was 98.46% and 100% respectively. Bed occupancy and OPD attendance was zero.

Venkateshwara College affidavit: The college said that due to students’ agitation on December 14, 2015 the college campus was closed and students, teachers and other staff were asked to vacate the campus.

HT Investigation: When HT visited the hospital on September 22, 2016 between 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, it was virtually locked. When this correspondent interacted with a nursing staff, she informed that none of the patients admitted in the gynaecology ward had any health complications. Some of them had mild ailments like stomach ache or headache. OT was empty and ICU, ICCU, NICU, PICU were locked.

College response: “We are aware of shortcomings and are in the process of acquiring all the facilities,” said Prof Madhusudan, vice chancellor, Venkateshwara University.