The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed the deployment of postgraduate medical students to flood and disaster-affected regions in northern India. This move, a crucial part of the ongoing relief efforts, will see students from the District Residency Programme (DRP) providing much-needed healthcare services on the ground. The NMC has confirmed that this deployment will be considered a valuable component of their DRP training.
The decision comes in response to recent floods and disaster-like situations in states and Union Territories such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Delhi, which have created an urgent need for medical professionals.
The initiative serves a dual purpose, as highlighted by Dr. Vijay Oza, President of the Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB):
- Service: The deployment provides immediate healthcare support at the field level, addressing a critical shortage in the affected areas.
- Learning: It offers young medical professionals a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in disaster response, public health management, and community service, thereby enhancing their overall training.
The NMC’s action aligns with an appeal from the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen healthcare services with available resources. According to the circulars, several postgraduate doctors have already expressed their willingness to volunteer their services.
Nodal Officers of the DRP in the respective states and UTs have been instructed to make these postings based on local requirements. This initiative is a timely response to the crisis, benefiting both the communities in need and the professional development of future medical practitioners.