In a good news for medical students wishing to pursue post-graduation, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) got 10 additional Post-Graduate (PG) seats. With these additions, PG seats in Paediatrics increased from 6 to 13, Dermatology from 3 to 4, and Radiology from 6 to 8. Last year, for the first time in the history of IGGMCH, PG seats were introduced in the departments of Psychiatry and Dermatology. With the latest development, Paediatrics got the maximum number of additional seats -- seven.

All three departments fulfill the criterion of acquiring PG seats, in the National Medical Council (NMC). In Paediatrics, there is one Professor, two Associate Professors, and 5 Assistant Professors. There were three Associate Professors but one got transferred, so the department is left with one post vacant. Now, IGGMCH has started the procedure of filling up that post. Dr Chandrashekhar Bokde, Head of Department told ‘The Hitavada’, “The department has three units that fulfill the criterion of National Medical Commission, required for 150 MBBS seats. With the addition of 50 more seats, now the department needs one complete unit. The process of raising one unit is underway. There are three 30-bed wards each plus Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with 10 and 20 beds respectively.” Before Dr Bokde took over, the department was lacking in several things but he took several initiatives to get the facilities needed in the department.

Dr Bhavna Sonawane, who worked as Acting Dean of the Institute at IGGMCH, tried to give a facelift to the Department of Radiology which has 6 Post Graduate seats. After inspection by National Medical Commission, the department got two more seats. For long, the department was running without MRI. Now, it has all facilities to cater to needs of the patients.

The Department of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy (VDL), popularly known as ‘Skin’, too, got one more PG seat. It was the last department in IGGMCH that was awaiting to get PG seats for a long. Last year, it received three seats. Under the guidance of the then Dean of IGGMCH Dr Lina Abhichandani, Head of the Department Dr Dharmendra Mishra endeavored. The requirement for three PG seats in the Skin department was one Professor, one Associate Professor, one Lecturer, and one Senior Resident. IGGMCH has fulfilled the condition plus it has three Junior Residents too. With the inclusion of PG seats, the healthcare facilities at IGGMCH will improve. People can not afford hair transplant at private hospitals, now such treatment facility will be available at IGGMCH as the HoD Dr Mishra has done a fellowship in Hair Transplant.