Latest news with #MaulanaAzadMedicalCollege
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Experts weigh in as Delhi HC calls for SOP over ‘indiscriminate' FSL referrals
A recent Delhi High Court order seeking authorities to frame guidelines to 'avoid unnecessary' referrals to forensic science laboratories (FSLs) in the national capital has sparked a debate among investigators, lawyers, and forensic experts. The court issued the direction on July 9 while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Subhash Vijayran, a resident doctor pursuing an M.D. in forensic medicine at Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi. He had raised concerns over the growing backlog at FSLs due to 'indiscriminate sample submissions'. As of mid-2025, over 20,000 forensic reports are reportedly pending at FSLs in Delhi. The court has now asked the Centre and Delhi government to decide within three months whether formal guidelines can be drafted to address the problem. Although the intent is to reduce clogging of the FSLs on the account of alleged 'unmindful and indiscriminate references', there is no consensus yet on whether such guidelines are practical or enforceable. '40% avoidable samples' A 2023 report by the National Human Rights Commission titled 'Forensic Science and Human Rights' found that 30-40% of viscera analyses sent to FSLs in Delhi were 'avoidable', especially in cases such as drowning, burning, and trauma deaths. The report also stated that if the autopsy surgeon is able toestablish the cause of death, other than in cases of death by poisoning, the viscera need not be referred to the FSLs for analysis. A senior Delhi Police official told The Hindu that the department is aware about the FSL backlog and has already taken steps to address it. 'Verbal instructions have been issued to all investigating officers to avoid unnecessary referrals to FSLs, especially in cases involving viscera preservation,' he said, adding that the officers are now expected to decide on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Vijayran said, 'During my postings in various mortuaries of Delhi, I came across an unpleasant practice of many doctors wherein they indiscriminately send viscera, blood, histopathology and toxicological samples to the FSLs and other labs after post-mortems – even in the most obvious and innocuous cases.' 'No doubt, in some cases, the samples are genuinely required to be sent, but in many cases where they are not, they are still sent. In defence, doctors argue that they do not want to get into unnecessary trouble with the law, in case someone might question as to why they did not send the samples,' he explained. Legal opinions divided Advocate Gyanant Kumar Singh warned against rigid guidelines. 'I think it should be left to the police instead of making blanket guidelines, which can be counterproductive. The guideline can never be rigid or exhaustive,' Mr. Singh said. In contrast, advocate Prabhav Ralli emphasised that forensic evidence is central to justice, especially in grave offences like murder and sexual assault. 'Quality of evidence' 'If the FSL reference is not done, it certainly affects the quality of the evidence as there is no scientific proof available, perhaps leaving the prosecution with only oral evidence/testimony to rely on,' Mr. Ralli said. 'In cases of reverse burden of proof, the onus to prove innocence is on the accused, and therefore, the absence of an FSL report rather dents the defence's case,' he said.
India.com
12-07-2025
- General
- India.com
Left medical career for UPSC, became IAS Officer with AIR 4, Tina Dabi is her..., she is...
The Civil Services Examination(CSE) is one of the toughest exams in India. Every year, over ten lakh aspirants appear for the competitive exam, which is held annually. The examination is held to recruit candidates for the posts of IAS, IPS, and several positions. Several IAS officers are known for their professional achievements. One such person is IAS Tina Dabi. Tina Dabi topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) in 2015, but another inspiring success story from the same year belongs to her close friend, Artika Shukla. She cleared the UPSC examination 2015 by securing the All India Rank(AIR) 4. Artika's motivational journey has become an inspiration for other students. A native of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Artika is an MBBS and MD-qualified doctor. After completing her MBBS graduation, she proceeded to sit for the UPSC examination. Artika obtained her MBBS degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi. Artika was inspired by two brothers, Gaurav Shukla and Utkarsh Shukla, who also qualified the UPSC examination. Speaking about her personal life, Artika's father, Brijesh Shukla, is a doctor by profession. Meanwhile, her mother, Leena, is a housewife. While Artika was pursuing her MD from PGIMER, her elder brother Gaurav, suggested that she consider civil services as a career. She decided to follow his advice and quit her MD to start studying for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She cleared the examination with an All India Rank of 4.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Doctor's Day Reflection: Why the White Coat Is Losing Its Shine in India
New Delhi: For decades, donning a white coat was the pinnacle of pride—a symbol of sacrifice, intellect, and societal contribution. But on this National Doctors' Day, a sobering truth confronts India: the medical profession is no longer the dream it once was. From crushing workloads to emotional trauma, from lack of societal respect to systemic neglect, today's doctors are navigating a terrain more hostile than healing. In a candid conversation with Rashmi Kaur, Dr. Kirti Singh, Director Professor & HOD at Maulana Azad Medical College, reflects on how the very meaning and magnetism of being a doctor has eroded over the decades—and why that should worry us all. Why the White Coat No Longer Inspires 'In our time,' Dr. Singh recalls, 'becoming a doctor or an engineer was a badge of respect, service, and stability. But now, the story has changed.' Becoming a doctor today means giving up one's youth to over a decade of gruelling study and internships, only to enter a profession that offers neither commensurate financial return nor public respect. 'After so much sacrifice, if you get neither money nor appreciation—and instead, constant scrutiny and even violence—how will young minds stay inspired?' she asks. One error, one delayed diagnosis, and a doctor can become the scapegoat for an entire system's failure, often with devastating consequences. The pandemic exposed how undervalued doctors really are. From cancelled leaves during COVID to working at half faculty strength today, medical professionals are treated more like emergency utilities than human beings. Dr. Singh laments, 'Students are herded like cattle. Five people in a room, no proper services, no recognition. And we expect them to bloom?' Even faculty positions remain overburdened. 'We're working with 50% staff. There is no focus on merit, neither of teachers nor of students. It's heartbreaking.' Broken Medical System Dr. Singh underscores a fundamental contradiction: society expects doctors to show superhuman empathy, restraint, and sacrifice—but offers them neither the support nor the conditioning for it. 'Doctors are expected to behave very differently the moment they wear the white coat, but they come from the same world as everyone else. School, peer pressure, digital influence—it's the same conditioning,' she says. "You can't expect transformation without preparation." Unlike past generations driven by purpose, many of today's entrants into medicine are driven by practical considerations: parental pressure, family business, or marriage prospects. "The ones with fire in the belly are fewer," says Dr. Singh, "and that fire is often extinguished early—right in school. With deteriorating incentives and toxic training environments, even passionate young aspirants burn out before they bloom." India's doctor-patient ratio remains worryingly low—but the real crisis lies deeper. 'The middle rung—the paramedics, optometrists, nurses—is completely neglected. We build policy around the top of the pyramid while ignoring its base,' Dr. Singh warns. Investing in a robust cadre of allied health professionals could ease the burden on doctors and improve overall healthcare delivery. But systemic will remains absent. Doctors facing Mental Health Crisis Medical training is emotionally and cognitively exhausting. From watching patients die to absorbing trauma in silence, doctors are emotionally saturated—but mental health remains taboo. 'Too much sympathy corrodes,' she says. 'Once saturated, a doctor begins to live their patient's pain. This transference can spiral into depression.' Yet, stigma keeps most doctors and medical students from seeking help. 'If someone has a counsellor here, people say, don't marry them, don't hire them. How is that fair?' Increased digital dependency and declining human connection have made things worse. 'We've stopped touching lives—literally and figuratively. Kids talk to people continents away but ignore those beside them. The mind, like any organ, can fall sick. We must treat it that way,' says Dr. Singh. She calls for open mental health conversations, which are free from judgment, and preventive education right from school. Value Doctors, or Lose them On a day meant to celebrate doctors, Dr. Singh issues a powerful reminder: until society revalues its caregivers—emotionally, financially, and structurally—we cannot expect the next generation to step up. 'Don't just throw rose petals from helicopters. Fix the systems. Respect our minds. Respect our work,' she says. Because when the last doctor stops believing, the system will collapse—not with a bang, but a silent burnout.>
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi CM orders immediate renovation of hostel at MAMC, speedy construction of new facilities for students, doctors
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday ordered an immediate renovation of the hostel at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and the speedy construction of new facilities to accommodate doctors and students. This comes after L-G VK Saxena and the Chief Minister last Thursday directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to immediately prepare a comprehensive plan to accommodate at least 4,000 students and doctors after observing that a hostel meant for 1,200 students has 3,200 students living at the hostel. On Monday, Gupta held discussions on hostel renovation, campus safety, lighting, encroachment, and student welfare issues. CM ordered for LED street lighting to be installed across the campus, with 24×7 CCTV surveillance and heightened security presence. She said that a special drive will be launched to remove illegal encroachments within the college campus. During the meeting, students highlighted the poor condition of hostel walls and ceilings, which pose a risk to life and safety. The lack of adequate lighting during night hours also gives a sense of insecurity on the campus, they said. Female students raised concerns over the shortage of security guards, insufficient facilities, and an unsafe environment. Encroachments within the campus were also reported as a daily obstacle for students. Gupta stated that the seven hostels built between 1966 and 1990 were designed for only 1,200 students, while around 3,200 students are currently residing there in extremely cramped and substandard conditions with eight beds to a room, shared cupboards, and no provision for basic amenities like study tables. The Chief Minister directed officials to submit progress reports every 15 days to ensure regular monitoring and accountability. She also accused the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of negligence. 'I am shocked at the irresponsibility of the previous educated governments. It's appalling to see the poor state of such a prestigious institution like Maulana Azad Medical College and the condition of the students studying here,' she said.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM meets MAMC students, orders revamp of hostels
Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Monday ordered immediate renovation of hostels in the Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and expedited construction of new units after a meeting with students at the Delhi Secretariat. She also blamed the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the poor state of facilities at the health institution. Hitting back, the AAP said that it built a world-class health care system when it was in power and that the BJP was undermining it. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta with doctors of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), in New Delhi on Monday. (CMO Delhi X) Gupta's discussion with the students focused on dilapidated hostels, campus security, poor lighting, shortage of security personnel and illegal encroachments. Officials from the health and public works departments, and the college administration were present during the meeting. 'This situation is gravely concerning and indicative of the severe negligence and lack of accountability on the part of previous governments. I am shocked at the irresponsibility of the previous governments. It's appalling to see the poor state of such a prestigious institution like Maulana Azad Medical College and the condition of the students studying here,' said Gupta. Gupta said the seven hostels built between 1966 and 1990 were designed for only 1,200 students, while 3,200 students are currently residing there in extremely cramped and substandard conditions with eight beds to a room, shared cupboards, and no provision for basic amenities such as study tables. She said LED street lighting will be installed across the campus, with 24x7 CCTV surveillance and increased security personnel along with a special drive to be launched to remove illegal encroachments within the college campus. Her office said in a statement that she directed officials to take immediate and concrete measures. She directed officials to submit progress reports every 15 days and she will visit MAMC for on-ground inspection of works, officials added. Last week, Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena, along with Gupta and health minister Pankaj Singh, chaired a meeting to review the security and other infrastructure in MAMC, Lok Nayak Hospital, GB Pant Hospital, and the Guru Nanak Eye Centre Complex. They found that there were lapses in security and there was an acute shortage of accommodation. In response to Gupta's claims, the AAP said in a statement, 'The AAP government revolutionised Delhi's healthcare system—building world-class hospitals that didn't just win the trust of residents but also earned global recognition. Ever since the BJP came to power, their only mission has been to dismantle this success. Instead of improving public health infrastructure, they are hell-bent on undermining it. All the BJP knows is how to find faults, spread negativity, and tear down what works. If they truly cared about Delhi's people, they would build upon these achievements—not sabotage them.'
