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The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Jagan condemns police action on Foreign Medical Graduates, extends support to protesting students
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy voiced serious concern over the growing distress among medical graduates who studied abroad and are now being denied Permanent Registration (PR) by the State government. A delegation of affected students, accompanied by leaders from the YSRCP Student Wing, met Jagan at the party's central office in Tadepalli on Wednesday (July 2). The students explained that despite fulfilling all requirements — completing their medical education abroad, clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), and completing internships in accordance with NMC guidelines — the government is withholding their PR numbers. Some students also alleged being compelled to work beyond the mandatory internship period without pay. On the occasion, Mr. Jagan condemned the alleged police lathi-charge on protesting students that took place last night and extended his unwavering support to their cause. He described the government's stance as 'harassment' not just of the students, but of their families as well. Mr. Jagan criticised the incumbent government's handling of the medical education sector, recalling that during his tenure, the YSRCP government had established 17 new government medical colleges to expand opportunities for aspiring doctors, with five already operational. 'This government has not only halted the remaining colleges but has even returned the medical seats allocated by the Centre,' he said. Reassuring the students, Mr. Jagan stated: 'We will stand by you until justice is done. Your future cannot be jeopardised by an indifferent administration.' YSRCP Student Wing leaders Panuganti Chaitanya, A. Ravichandra, and several young doctors were also present at the meeting.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana battles rising kidney failures, deaths amid surge in quack clinics
In emergency departments of government hospitals across Telangana, doctors are witnessing a troubling rise in kidney failure cases among patients who first sought care at informal clinics. 'When we probe their medical history, many recall being prescribed a cocktail of medicines by a so-called rural doctor. Upon verification, we often find that the clinic was operated by an unqualified practitioner or a quack,' doctors said. The proliferation of unqualified medical practitioners, or quacks, is not confined to rural Telangana. It is now a deep-rooted, state-wide public health crisis affecting both urban and rural populations, according to senior health officials and professional medical bodies. Despite recent efforts to clamp down on illegal medical practice, the challenge remains systemic and urgent. Crackdown in motion, but problem deep-rooted Nearly a year into a statewide crackdown on unauthorised medical practice, Srinivas Gundagani, vice chairman of the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC), shared that the Council has so far filed over 450 FIRs across the state, with around 140 cases currently in court. 'What we are seeing is not just illegal practice but life-threatening mismanagement by unqualified individuals. During one of our raids in Sangareddy district, we found a 10th-fail woman performing abortions. In another case, a woman with no medical background was managing an emergency room, prescribing IV antibiotics, and giving medication to pregnant women,' he added. TGMC categorises quacks into three broad groups: Completely unqualified individuals, some barely educated, who run clinics and treat everything from fevers to hypertension, even performing abortions and minor surgeries. AYUSH practitioners (BAMS, BHMS, Unani) illegally practise allopathy — managing ICUs, performing deliveries, administering IV drugs, and prescribing steroids, often without oversight from any MBBS-qualified doctors. Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) who have not cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) but practice under the guise of being doctors by borrowing the credentials or prescription pads of others Antibiotic misuse, kidney failure, and deaths Medical experts are raising alarm bells about the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroids by these untrained practitioners, a practice that is fuelling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), which could pose a bigger global health threat than COVID-19 by 2050. 'These people do not understand diagnosis or proper dosage. The misuse is causing irreversible damage, kidney failure, cataracts, and even deaths,' Dr. Srinivas said, citing the case of a gym trainer in Hyderabad who was misdiagnosed by a quack and later died from a cardiac episode after being sent home without even an ECG. Another disturbing case involved a botched piles surgery by a quack that had to be corrected by a qualified surgeon at ESI Hospital in Hyderabad Weak enforcement and legal loopholes Though TGMC has been proactive in identifying violators and filing FIRs, it lacks enforcement authority. 'Once we file an FIR, we forward it to the District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) to take further action. Some respond, but most do not' Dr. Srinivas said. He pointed out that DMHOs are empowered under the Telangana Medical Practitioners Act to seal clinics and prosecute offenders but often fail to act, allowing quack-run facilities to reopen within days. A 2021 dossier by the National Health Systems Resource Centre highlights significant gaps in Telangana's public healthcare infrastructure. Rural areas face a 12.4% shortfall in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and a 53.04% shortfall in Community Health Centres (CHCs). The situation is even more severe in urban regions, where PHC shortfall stands at 27.41%. Tribal areas are the worst affected, with a 44.12% shortfall in CHCs and a 46.38% shortfall in PHCs, leaving these already vulnerable communities critically underserved. Dr Srinivas dismissed the argument that quacks are necessary in rural areas due to a shortage of doctors. 'Telangana produces nearly 10,000 MBBS graduates annually. What we lack is not doctors, it's infrastructure, regulation, and political will,' he said. IMA Telangana raises red flag Echoing TGMC's concerns, Dwarakanath Reddy, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana chapter, described the situation as 'a slow-burning epidemic'. He criticised past government efforts to informally legitimise quacks in rural areas through pseudo-certification, calling them illegal and dangerous. 'No certification can be given to an unqualified person, that's the law. What we are seeing is a result of casual employment in hospitals, where support staff gain minimal experience and then open unauthorised clinics,' he said. Dr. Reddy warned of the severe public health consequences of what he termed the 'shotgun approach' of prescribing, a method in which quacks give broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids for every complaint, leading to temporary relief but long-term harm. 'This is one of the biggest contributors to AMR,' he said. He urged the government to create enabling conditions for MBBS graduates to serve in rural areas. 'If you want young doctors to set up practice in remote districts, you need to provide subsidies, housing, and supportive systems, not allow untrained individuals to fill the gap.' Quackery is not a professional rivalry issue, it is a life-and-death matter Both TGMC and IMA leaders stressed that the anti-quackery drive is not about professional rivalry, but about preventable deaths and long-term health consequences due to misdiagnosis and irrational drug use. 'This is about saving lives. We have seen patients lose kidneys, go blind from steroid overuse, or die after botched procedures in unhygienic settings. Quackery is a threat to life, not just legality,' Dr. Srinivas said.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Why so many Indian students — especially from Kashmir — go to Iran for higher education
The ongoing Iran–Israel conflict, and the Indian government's efforts to evacuate its citizens — especially medical students — from the region, has once again thrown the spotlight on a recurring question: Why do so many Indian students go abroad to study medicine? According to the MEA's estimated data of Indian students studying abroad, in 2022, about 2,050 students were enrolled in Iran, mostly for medical studies, at institutions like the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University and Islamic Azad University. A significant number of the students are from Kashmir. This is not the first time a geopolitical crisis has exposed the scale of India's outbound medical education. In 2022, during the Russia – Ukraine war, the Indian government had to evacuate thousands of medical students under 'Operation Ganga'. Now, as tensions escalate in West Asia, the spotlight returns to the systemic, economic, and cultural factors that continue to drive Indian students to pursue medical degrees overseas. A growing trend Despite a significant rise in the number of medical seats in India—from around 51,000 MBBS seats in 2014 to 1.18 lakh in 2024 —tens of thousands of students continue to pursue medical education abroad. The trend is visible in the rising number of candidates appearing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which is mandatory for practicing medicine in India after studying abroad. About 79,000 students appeared for the FMGE in 2024, up from 61,616 in 2023 and just over 52,000 in 2022. This outward movement is driven by two main factors: competitiveness and cost. 'While the number of MBBS seats have increased in the country, the field continues to remain competitive. Students have to get a very good rank to get into government colleges,' said Dr Pawanindra Lal, former executive director of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, which conducts the FMGE. More than 22.7 lakh candidates appeared for NEET-UG in 2024 for just over 1 lakh MBBS seats. Only around half of these seats are in government colleges. The rest are in private institutions, where costs can soar. 'A candidate ranked 50,000 can get admission in a good private college but the fees can run into crores. How many people in the country can afford that? It is just simple economics that pushes students towards pursuing medical education in other countries. They can get the degree at one-tenth the cost in some of the countries,' said Dr Lal. Why Iran — And why so many Kashmiris? While affordability draws many Indian students abroad, Iran holds a unique appeal for those from the Kashmir Valley. For them, the choice is shaped not just by economics, but also by cultural and historical ties. 'Kashmir for a very long time has been called Iran-e-Sagheer or Iran Minor,' said Professor Syed Akhtar Hussain, a Persian scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University. 'There is a historical factor—that the topography of Kashmir and the culture of Kashmir are similar to that of Iran. In the old times, they always thought Kashmir was a part of Iran in a way.' Religious affinity is another driver. 'Because there is a Shia element in Kashmir, and presence of Shia in Iran, that presence makes it more familiar for Kashmiris to associate themselves with… Iran became a country that they wanted to maintain affinity with. Iran is also a Shia country. Iran also feels happy that it has that special space in the heart of Kashmir,' he said. The relationship has practical benefits as well. Most Kashmiri students pursue medical education in Tehran, while others study Islamic theology in the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad. According to Prof. Hussain, Iran has even created admission pathways tailored for Kashmiri students. 'Iran gives some concessions to Kashmiri students to go and study there. By virtue of being Shia, they get admission very quickly and easily… for Kashmiris in Iran, it's less expensive.' This is often referred to as the 'pargees quota'. 'Shia students not only go to Iran to study medical sciences, they also study theology in Iran. Since the Islamic governance was formed in 1979, since then Kashmiri students have been going to Iran to study,' he added. Beyond academics, many students describe Iran as a 'second home,' noting the similarities in food, culture, climate, and community warmth. 'Students feel very homely while studying there. The cuisine, everything is almost the same, and students feel like they are in Kashmir. Because the regime is Shia, the Iranians also have a soft corner for Kashmiris,' said Prof. Hussain. He traced this deep-rooted connection back to the 13th century: 'One person named Meer Sayyed Ahmed Ali Hamadani from Iran came to Kashmir. He brought about 200 Syeds along with him, and those people brought crafts and industry from Iran to Kashmir. They brought carpet, papier-mâché, dry fruits and saffron too. Historically, this is the link. Kashmir and Central Asia's biggest link is Hamadani.' What are the risks? Though admission is relatively easier and cheaper abroad, experts warn of important caveats. 'There are not a lot of eligibility requirements. If the student can pay, they usually get admission. Some universities run two batches for each year to accommodate more students,' said Dr Lal. However, he warned that some foreign universities operate two tiers of medical education: one designed to produce local doctors, and another primarily to award degrees to foreigners. 'In fact, after completing some of the courses meant for foreigners, the students may not be eligible to practice in the host country. This means they are running two different medical courses,' he said. To address this, India's National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced a rule stating that students will be eligible to practice in India only if they are also eligible to practice in the country where they studied. The NMC also mandates that the medical course be 54 months long, completed at a single university, followed by a one-year internship at the same institution. Dr Lal also flagged the lack of transparent information: 'There are no foreign colleges or universities listed by the country's medical education regulator that people can trust… The regulator should either provide a list of approved colleges or select, say, the top 100 colleges from a given country.' What happens when they return? Even after securing their degree, foreign-trained doctors face several hurdles in India. Students from the Philippines, for instance, faced recognition issues because their courses were only 48 months long, short of the required 54. A major bottleneck is the FMGE, which all foreign-trained doctors must clear. The pass rate has historically been low: 25.8% in 2024, 16.65% in 2023, and 23.35% in 2022. 'Even afterwards, they face challenges in getting employed. This is because their training is not as robust. There have been cases where the students did not have a single stamp on their passport. Sometimes there is a lack of patients and practical training. The FMGE questions are simple, meant to test the students' practical knowledge. And, yet, many are unable to pass the examination even after several attempts,' said Dr Lal. Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Blasts around us': Indians in Iran seek evacuation
Lucknow: Sabia (name changed), a fourth-year MBBS student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, recalled the fear that gripped her when fighter jets roared over the campus and sirens pierced the skies. "On Saturday, I heard jets overhead and sirens blaring. It was unusual — Tehran is mostly peaceful. We rushed to take shelter with other students," Sabia, who hails from Lucknow, told TOI over a call from an undisclosed location. "Later, it was confirmed that Israel hit Iran. Panic spread across the campus. Soon after, we were moved to the city of Qom, 140km south of Tehran, with other Indian students," she Qom, too, didn't stay safe for long. "Our hopes for safety were dashed, as attacks began there as well. We thought things would improve but, instead, we were relocated again to a secret location," Sabia said. She said around 110 Indian medical students were recently shifted from Iran to a safer location in Armenia amid rising hostilities between Iran and Israel. She said around 1,500 Indian students still remain in Iran, pursuing different courses. Along with her, there are four students from Lucknow, while others hail from Bengaluru, Delhi, and other parts of India. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Though they are currently safe and being taken care of, the students are worried. "Our families are deeply anxious. I am worried about the future and how the course will continue. My father and brothers constantly monitor the news. Embassies of other countries evacuated their students through the borders, but we are still waiting for clear answers," Sabia said. "We appeal to the Indian embassy to rescue us and help us return to India," she said. Her current term was scheduled to end in mid-August after an academic break, and she was likely to return to India then. However, classes are now suspended indefinitely. When asked why Indian students opt for Iran, Sabia said affordability and simpler entrance procedures are the main reasons. "Private medical colleges in India are expensive. Here, the cost is far more manageable," she said. A full six-year MBBS programme at Tehran University of Medical Sciences costs between Rs 22 lakh to Rs 28 lakh, including tuition and academic fees, she says. In contrast, private Indian medical colleges charge anywhere upwards of Rs 25 lakh per year. Most Iranian medical universities are recognized by the Indian govt and the WHO. Students returning to India are required to clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and complete a one-year internship to receive a medical licence here. Despite the current care and safety, the uncertainty has left the students unsettled. "We just want to get home. We hope the situation improves soon — for all of us here, and for everyone affected by the conflict," Sabia says.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Iran-Israel tensions: Indian students trapped as conflict shuts airspace
New Delhi|Bengaluru: As missiles hit and alerts blare, Fatima Khakhi, a third-year MBBS student at Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, is thankful to the Indian Embassy for relocating her to a safer location, but safety feels tenuous, and the anxiety is unrelenting. 'We are living in fear, with sleepless nights and growing anxiety,' she said. 'Our families back home are equally distressed.' As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, over 2,500 Indian students—roughly 1,500–2,000 in Iran and 1,200–1,500 in Israel—are caught in the crossfire, experts say. With airspace over both nations closed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has begun relocating students and activated advisories and check-ins. 'We've suspended all new Iran applications and are redirecting students to alternative destinations until the situation stabilises,' said Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits. 'Our partners are helping students register with embassy forms, and our 24/7 emergency helpline ensures they have updated passports and documentation ready in case of evacuation.' (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Indian students typically choose these destinations for affordability and ease of admission. According to Narayanan Ramaswamy, national leader (education and skill development) at KPMG India, these students are 'reasonably good in academics' but sometimes unable to secure seats in India's top colleges. 'They look to Israel, Iran, and nearby countries like Georgia and Ukraine, where admissions are easier and expenses are reasonable,' he said. Live Events In Israel, institutions like Tel Aviv University , Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Israel Institute of Technology are among the top choices. Iran, on the other hand, has emerged in recent years as a strong draw for students from Jammu & Kashmir, says Lambodar Rout, director of education consulting firm Edunom. 'Many students who earlier went to Bangladesh are now choosing Iran because it's nearly half the cost,' he notes. Aadil Shaikh, managing director of Education Zone—which has sent over 600 Indian students to Iran since 2018—says tuition and living expenses, factoring in scholarships, can cost as little as ?14-15 lakh for a five-year MBBS course, compared to ?40 lakh in Bangladesh. Institutions like Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, ?Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, ?Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, and Kerman University of Medical Sciences are popular among Indian students. 'Iran offers a lot of scholarships. The education and infrastructure offered are also good. In the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), the rate of passing for students who've studied in Iran is high,' said Shaikh. Yet, the war has brought all of this to a halt. 'They're (students) deeply worried—not just about their education, but their safety, timely evacuation, and whether their degrees will hold value amid rising instability,' said Shaikh. Under current NMC guidelines, students cannot transfer to another university mid-course unless a special exception is granted, like in the Ukraine case. The crisis is already reshaping student sentiment, say consultants. According to Sanjay Laul, founder, MSM Group, new applicants who are beginning to explore international education are also concerned. 'Even when a destination is not involved, the mood among families changes. Students become more cautious, and parents start asking different questions. It raises issues like insurance, emergency protocols, and academic flexibility.' 'Once concerns about a country's stability surface, rebuilding student confidence is not easy. It can take several years before the perception improves, and students feel safe enough to consider those destinations again,' Laul added. The current conflict, much like the war in Ukraine, could have a lasting impact on the appeal of the Caspian and Gulf regions for Indian students, education experts warn.
