SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 29: Phulo Jhano Murmu Medical College Hospital (PJMMCH) Dumka has called candidates for a walk-in-interview for 37 junior residents (JR) positions tomorrow in a last-ditch bid to secure admission approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for the 2021-22 sessions. This step was made to compensate for doctors’ shortcomings in several faculties.
Dr Ravindra Kumar Singh, the superintendent of the PJMCH, informed that a walk-in interview will be held tomorrow (September 30) and every coming Thursday until all 37 vacant JR positions in the institution are filled.
National Medical Commission (IMC) has put an embargo on admission in three new medical colleges of state Dumka, Hazaribagh and Palamu since the 2020 session due to deficiencies of doctors in the hospital, teachers in college, and basic infrastructure in the institution.
Besides the post of JR, 80% of teaching and medical officer positions at the college are empty. According to a senior health department official, the government is considering hiring teachers on a contract basis for the time being in order to obtain admission clearance from the NMC for the 2021-22 sessions.
Rattled by deficiencies in January 2021, students of the college had gone on an indefinite dharna demanding facility of practical and restoration of basic infrastructure in the institution. On the assurance of local MP and Dumka SDM, MBBS students lifted dharna from campus on the third day.
Surprisingly, just one batch has enrolled in the college, but due to a shortage of resources, they are yet to complete practical training.
“At the local level, we have left no stone unturned to comply with all deficiencies pointed out by the IMC team. As the first step, vacant posts of junior residents in hospitals are being filled up,” said Dr Ravindra Kumar Singh.
He also said that junior residents will be appointed on one year contract and will get Rs 41,000 as a stipend per month. A selection committee under the principal of the college has been formed. “The reservation roster of the Jharkhand government would be duly followed in the appointment,” he added.