National Medical Commission Revokes Vaishno Devi Medical College’s MBBS Approval

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has revoked the approval for the MBBS programme at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence located in Kakryal, Katra. This decision follows a series of protests against the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and the Jammu and Kashmir Government. The NMC cited significant deficiencies in the college’s operations, including inadequate teaching faculty, low bed occupancy, and insufficient clinical resources.

The NMC’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) highlighted numerous irregularities in a letter to the college authorities. These included a stark shortfall in qualified teaching staff, with a reported 39 percent deficiency in faculty and a 65 percent shortfall in tutors and senior residents. The inspection team noted that the out-patient department attendance was only 182 at 1 PM, far below the required 400. Additionally, bed occupancy stood at 45 percent, significantly lower than the mandated 80 percent.

The scrutiny intensified following complaints regarding the allocation of seats, where 42 of the 50 initial seats were designated for Muslim candidates, raising concerns among local Hindu groups. In response to these grievances, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, which formed to protest against the seat distribution, met with Union Health Minister JP Nadda in New Delhi just days before the NMC’s decision.

In light of the revocation, the MARB has instructed the Jammu and Kashmir Government to accommodate the affected students in other medical institutions within the Union Territory as supernumerary seats. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep concern over the cancellation, stating that this move jeopardizes the future of aspiring medical students. He remarked, “This is a joke with the future of the students. If you are feeling happy about this, then burst crackers. This time, 40 of the 50 students came from Kashmir, but in the coming years, these 50 seats would have become 400.”

Abdullah emphasized the detrimental impact on local candidates, arguing that future generations would miss out on valuable opportunities as the institution has now been effectively shut down. His comments reflect the broader discontent among students and local communities regarding the handling of the medical college’s administration and the allocation of seats.

The agitation surrounding the college’s operations had lasted for nearly 45 days and garnered support from various segments of society in Jammu. Sukhvir Mankotia, convener of the Sangharsh Samiti, noted that students would benefit from being relocated to better-equipped medical colleges.

The revocation of the approval for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence underscores the ongoing challenges in managing medical education and the critical importance of maintaining high standards in healthcare training. As the situation unfolds, the focus will now shift to ensuring that the affected students receive appropriate placements in other institutions, as directed by the government.