SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 2: Finally after four years, MBBS students of government-owned Palamu, Hazaribagh and Dumka medical colleges would get bus services to go for ‘Clinical Posting’ at the hospital.
A senior authority of the state health department said that if all goes as per the plan, a tender for bus services of these medical colleges would be issued after the Panchayat election.
Medinirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH) Palamu, Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) Hazaribagh and Phulo Jhano Medical College Hospital (PJMCH) Dumka were established in 2019. Though the colleges did not have their own hospitals, the Sadar hospitals of these districts were attached to them.
Since Sadar hospitals are far away from the college campus of these institutions, the students have to go there on their own expenses daily for ‘Clinical Posting’ in the lack of college transport facilities.
As per the National Medical Council (NMC) guidelines, 2nd MBBS professional students have to attend 33 weeks (3 hours daily from Monday to Friday) in hospital. In the 3rd professional, part-1 students have to attend 42 weeks (3 hours per day from Monday to Saturday) and in the 3rd professional part-2, 48 weeks (3 hours per day from Monday to Saturday).
But now, MMCH has received funds from the state government for launching the bus service.
MMCH principal Dr Shailendra Kumar admitted to having received the fund. “Since the model code of conduct is imposed in the state due to the Panchayat election, the tender for the same has been held up. After polls, it will be issued,” he said.
Palamu Sadar hospital is around 5 km away from the medical college. Having seen the students’ problem, two years ago the then principal Dr Jyoti Ranjan Prasad had started the bus service but had to stop it due to a lack of government grants.
However, the present principal Dr Shailendra Kumar initiated the step again and finally got permission from the government.
Sources said the health department is mulling providing bus services to all five medical colleges of state and cars to the principal and superintendent.
SBMCH Hazaribagh principal Dr SK Singh had issued the tender for bus service for students but reportedly, the government cancelled it. Sadar Hospital in Hazaribagh is merely 2 km away from the medical college. “College would initiate the step for bus services again,” he said.
Dumka Medical College too has repeatedly demanded bus service. The Sadar hospital is around 6 km away from the college. “I had written to the state government to allow bus services here. Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital Dhanbad is running the service but we are yet to receive a consent or permission letter,” said Dr Arun Kumar, principal of PJMCH.
Bus service to MBBS students of Dhanbad medical college has been provided by the government since 1982 when Sadar hospital (6 km away from the college) was attached to it.
