Medical academics in J&K is set for a boost as the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has approved 39 more seats for Government Medical Colleges (GMC) and District Hospitals.
Health officials concerned with the development said out of the 39 sanctioned seats, 17 seats are post MBBS DNB seats and 22 are post MBBS Diploma seats.
“With this, the total P.G seats approval for J&K has risen to 124 (102 DNB and 22 Diploma) and this is over and above the DM/MCH and MD/MS courses already being run in J&K,” he said.
DH Kulgam has got accreditation in General Medicine and has been granted 2 seats for Diplomate of National Board (DNB) by National Board of Examination.The officials said Kulgam DH has become third DH to start DNB Courses.
Mission Director, NHMJ&K, Yasin Choudhary said under DNB program a total of 144 applications were submitted by various health institutions out of which 53 applications are approved till date against which 124 seats have been granted to the accredited departments .
New GMCs have received the total approval of 33 seats (11 DNB and 22 Diploma seats).
The officials said that GMC Baramulla has received the sanction of 5 post MBBS DNB seats in General Medicine and 22 post MBBS Diploma seats in the specialties of Family Medicine (4 seats), Anaesthesia (4 seats), Pediatrics (4 seats), Obs & Gynae. (4 seats), ENT (3 seats) and Ophthalmology (3 seats).
Similarly, New GMC Anantnag received approval of 2 seats in General Surgery, new GMC Kathua received approval of 2 seats in DNB Anatomy and GMC Rajouri received approval of 2 seats in DNB General Medicine.
Additionally, GMC Srinagar has been granted 2 seats in Doctorate of National Board (DrNB) Critical Care Medicine and GMC Jammu has been granted 2 seats in DrNB Neurology.
The DNB courses have been introduced in district hospitals and new GMCs besides old GMCs and SKIMS in order to strengthen the institutions, decongest the Govt. Medical Colleges and to address the shortage of specialists in J&K.
Moreover, officials said 35 more departments of DHs/ GMCs have been assessed by NBE and their accreditation is awaited.