West Bengal Government decided to allocate medical seats to second and third-year MBBS students who came back home from Ukraine due to the war. West Bengal decided to provide medical seats to these students so that they can continue & complete their education in India. This decision which was taken a month back, however, has received criticism from the National Medical Commission and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. There were a lot of arguments on this decision as India does not allow foreign students to complete their education in India. This matter is still seen to be an issue of concern.
In April, CM Mamta Bannerjee announced that the government would accommodate over 400 students who had returned from Ukraine due to the Russian Attack. The CM also took a dig at the centre for not taking up the responsibility. Out of these, 172 students will be allowed to attend practical classes at different government colleges in the state.
This announcement is a major violation of the NMC guidelines that require Foreign Medical Graduates to complete their theory and practical education and a yearlong internship in the same college in which they take admission.
Currently, the authorities are working on this matter and are looking into different ways to accommodate Ukraine returned MBBS Students into corresponding courses in other European countries. West Bengal authorities have also allotted 135 students in the fourth and fifth years of their MBBS courses in ‘observing seats’ at government colleges for practical training.
