Bengaluru, (DHNS): Shortage of teaching staff and resident doctors in both government and private medical colleges is among the primary reasons why the Medical Council of India (MCI) denied permission for an increase of seats in Karnataka’s medical colleges. For instance, the Medical Council of India (MCI) cut down 150 seats in the Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences this year citing several shortcomings. This is just one of the eight colleges that have lost a number of seats this academic year. According to top sources in the department of medical education, the state lost 840 seats this academic year. Though the state initially had lost 940 seats in eight medical colleges, at the last minute, the MCI granted permission for an increase in 100 seats in two colleges, thus reducing the losses to 840 seats.

Besides the shortage of teaching staff and resident doctors, inadequate infrastructure and occupancy rates are among the factors that the MCI considered for denying permission. Recently, replying to a question by BJP leader V S Sankanur, D K Shivakumar, Minister for Medical Education, had said that the council had scrapped these seats for the year 2018-19. The Koppal college, a state-run institution, failed to get permission as there was a 36% shortage of teaching faculty and a whopping 65% shortage of resident doctors. Non-availability of ETP steriliser and a defunct CT scan unit are also among the reasons. The other reasons for rejecting permission were a vacant post of a speech therapist and lack of lecture hall in the teaching district hospital.

Permission was rejected to St John’s Medical College on similar grounds. College authorities, however, said that they would approach the court in this regard. An inspection report by the MCI with regard to yet another college, Al-Ameen in Bijapur, also cites that there is a 16.77% shortage of teaching faculty and 20% shortage of resident doctors. The college also lacks infrastructure in the clinical department, the report states. Similarly, Oxford College reported a staff deficiency of 7% due to which they were not permitted renewal of permission for 2018-19. While the MCI said that permission was granted to Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences for 150 seats, it said that the college had no permission for renewal of permission for an increase in seats from 150 to 200. Dr Prabhakar, principal, Vydehi College, however, said they are awaiting the MCI report.