Karnataka Follows Tamil Nadu in Opposing NEET, Plans to seek exemption

Karnataka- After Tamil Nadu, now Karnataka is opposing the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) in the state. The Karnataka government hence is planning to seek exemption from NEET and permission to conduct their own entrance exams for medical college admissions.

As per the Deccan Herald’s recent media news report, the Congress government in Karnataka is planning to oppose NEET, possibly also including a law granting exemption from the all-India exam.  

Following the recent controversy over granting of grace marks to 1,563 students and allegations of malpractice, last week Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had urged the central government to abolish NEET and allow states to conduct their own entrance exams for medical school admissions.

Apart from this, DK Shivakumar also approached Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil for his opinion on NEET. In response, Patil told DKS that the state government cannot do much on the NEET matter.

Speaking to the Deccan Herald on this, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “We are discussing going the Tamil Nadu way. The Karnataka government…we are opposing NEET. This is a big scandal.”

Shivakumar further added “Our people have built institutions in the state. The institutions, managements, locals…they’re unable to provide seats to students belonging to their communities. We need a national discussion on this. Students from outside have a reservation, yes, but that’s a different matter. We’ll discuss this in the coming days”.

In 2021, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a bill seeking exemption from NEET and was later sent to the Governor. However, the governor returned the bill in February 2022, but the assembly later passed it again. The Governor sent it to the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, in May 2022 as education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Since then this bill has been pending before the President.

Meanwhile, amidst the NEET 2024 paper leak and results controversy, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has recently said that the only solution to the issue is to restore the role of state governments in deciding the method of selection for MBBS courses.’

Also Read: NEET a ‘scam’, Only solution to restore role of state govt for MBBS admissions: Tamil Nadu CM

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Doctors at Aster Hospitals perform rare heart re-transplant surgery on 32-year-old patient

Bangalore: In a remarkable demonstration of medical excellence on par with global standards, doctors at Aster Hospitals performed a rare heart re-transplant, only the second instance in India. 

For seven years (2016 – 2023), a 32-year-old engineer battled recurrent heart failure, requiring frequent hospitalizations and his journey culminated in a successful heart transplant.

In 2016, due to dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart dysfunction, with irreversible damage to his heart and no hope for recovery from heart failure, the patient underwent a successful heart transplant. Despite financial constraints, his father and committed partner secured the necessary funds for the surgery, which took place in 2016 without any complications and the patient remained stable until 2020.

Also Read:Aster DM Healthcare to invest Rs 250 crore in CMI Hospital, plans to add 350 beds

Despite facing a 75% survival rate prognosis, the patient and his committed partner remained determined. They married in 2018, embracing the obstacles of post-transplant life together. His wife was the pillar of support and strength throughout his recovery journey.

However, 2020 brought a new health issue. The patient contracted severe COVID-19, requiring intensive care. Fortunately, he made a full recovery with no lasting impediments. After overcoming these struggles, their joy multiplied with the birth of a beautiful baby girl.

The patient’s journey continued to unfold in 2021. Chest pain and backaches led to a new challenge: cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a narrowing of the arteries in his transplanted heart. Apart from this, a follow-up echocardiogram in 2022 revealed severe biventricular dysfunction, necessitating a cardiac re-transplant. This news meant another transplant was necessary, but the patient, a fighter through and through, faced it with unwavering determination.

Recognizing the complexity of the case, the cardiologists’ team led by Dr Nagamalesh U M mobilized to perform a life-saving heart re-transplant surgery. This transformational procedure marked the second in India and a first in Karnataka.

The patient underwent a complex re-transplantation in December 2023. While initial complications arose due to bleeding and rejection episodes, meticulous management with regular biopsies and close monitoring ensured a successful recovery. Complications arose post-transplant. The patient bled due to surgery and blood thinners from his angioplasty. Despite recurrent rejections, meticulous management with regular biopsies and close monitoring kept him stable.

He has now completed 6 months of the second heart transplant with no further complications.

“The past few years have been a medical rollercoaster for me. Finding out I needed a second transplant was a setback, however the exceptional team of surgeons, led by Dr Ganeshakrishnan Iyer and helped by Dr Divakar Bhat, Dr. Arul Dominic Furtado, Dr Madhusudana Narayana, Dr Prashanth Y M, and Lead Cardiologist, Dr Nagamalesh U M extended their support throughout my treatment journey. My family was kept informed about the surgery and all our queries were addressed. I am immensely grateful for their expertise and compassion. They have given me the gift of renewed health and the opportunity to look forward to the future,” said the patient.

Commenting on the Surgery, Prof. Dr. Nagamalesh U M, Lead Consultant – Cardiology, Interventional Cardiologist, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, and Director – Heart Failure, Transplant & MCS Program, Aster Hospitals, Bangalore, said, “The patient’s post-transplant course included significant bleeding events due to the second surgery and the ongoing requirement for blood thinners and rejections. However, through meticulous monitoring and regular endomyocardial biopsies, these challenges were effectively managed. Importantly, the patient has now achieved a successful 6-month post-operative period with no further complications, demonstrating his remarkable resilience and the invaluable support of his loved ones.”

Dr. Ganeshakrishnan Iyer, Lead Consultant – CTVS Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore said, “Heart re-transplant was a complex procedure, requiring meticulous planning, exceptional skill from the entire team, and seamless communication throughout the process. I’m proud of the dedication and expertise displayed by every member of the team. This case exemplifies the power of collaboration in achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

“At Aster DM Healthcare, we take immense pride in our dedicated team of surgeons, who employ the highest degree of care and precision to succeed in these intricate procedures. Our team’s unparalleled expertise and compassionate approach guarantee that patients receive the utmost standard of treatment. This accomplishment underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing medical excellence and improving lives.” said Dr Nitish Shetty, CEO – Aster DM Healthcare India.

Aster Hospitals remains steadfast in its pursuit of pioneering healthcare solutions. By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge tools such as Artificial Intelligence with the warmth of compassionate care, the hospital is paving the way for a future where personalized solutions coexist harmoniously with ethical practices. The hospital’s collaborative spirit, manifested through strategic partnerships, cultivates an environment of trust, ensuring that every innovation is meticulously designed to prioritize patient well-being.

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NMC Nod to Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences for 4 New PG medical Courses with 5 seats each

Kalaburagi: The Bidar Institute of
Medical Sciences (BRIMS) has received the green signal from the National Medical
Commission (NMC) to commence four new postgraduate medical programs this year. The
approved courses include Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, and Microbiology,
marking a significant step forward in medical education for the region.

The NMC’s nod came after
a thorough virtual inspection of the prearrangements made by BRIMS, ensuring
that the institute met all necessary criteria for the launch of these advanced
medical programs. This approval is a culmination of persistent efforts and a
long-standing demand to enhance the academic offerings at BRIMS.

The introduction of these
PG courses at BRIMS is expected to be a boon for students in the Bidar region,
providing them with advanced educational opportunities closer to home. “Each PG course
will have five seats and the admission process for these courses will start
from August. After starting PG courses in BRIMS, more health services will be
available at the hospital in the coming days,” BRIMS director Shivakumar
Shetkar told Times of India.

The programs in
Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, and Microbiology will help equip
medical professionals with the expertise required to meet the diverse
healthcare challenges in the area.

Previously Medical Dialogues reported that new medical colleges
might come up in Karnataka during the upcoming academic year as approval had
been sought from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for starting two private
and government medical colleges in the State.

These two medical
colleges are likely to come up in Karnataka in addition to the existing
colleges seeking an increase in the intake of undergraduate (UG) medical seats.
According to the data from the Directorate of
Medical Education (DME), permission has been sought to start two new government
medical colleges in the upcoming year. These colleges are proposed to come up
in Ramanagara and Kanakpura.

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‘Details sought include Third-party info, hence exempted under RTI Act’: NMC on RTI query on Faculty Gap in Medical Colleges

New Delhi: Stating that the details sought under the RTI includes third-party information, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has refused to disclose the names of the medical colleges that fell short on faculty counts and other teaching infrastructure.

Recently activist Dr. KV Babu filed an application under the Right to Information Act seeking the details of the notices issued by the NMC Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) to the medical colleges for deficiencies in Clinical Material and staff during the period from 01/01/2023 to 30/04/2024. He also sought to know the details of the fine imposed or the action taken by the NMC UG Board from 01/01/2023 to 30/04/2024.

In response, the Apex medical regulatory body in India has said that the concerned information includes third party information. “Since the information sought by you, includes third party information, hence the same is exempted for as per Section 8(1) (j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005,” the reply to Dr. Babu’s RTI application stated.

This comes at a time when reportedly more than 80% of Indian Medical Colleges were issued show-cause notices by NMC for not meeting even the minimum criteria laid down by the Commission.

Also Read: NMC slaps show-cause notice to nearly 500 out of 706 medical colleges for MSR non-compliance: Report

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that around 500 medical colleges out of the 706 colleges across the country have received show-cause notices from the Apex Medical Commission for failure to comply with the Minimum Standard Requirements.

During the NMC inspection conducted at these medical colleges, officials noted absenteeism of faculties, inadequate and poor infrastructure, and student grievances on issues such as ragging, inadequate hostels, and poor student-teacher relationships. Following this, the Commission imposed penalties ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh and going up to Rs 1 crore.

Commenting on the matter, Dr. Babu KV told Medical Dialogues, “The purpose of my RTI with the NMC was to know the deficiencies of faculties and clinical materials in various medical colleges so as to get an assessment about the functioning of various medical colleges and to get a clear idea about the standards of UG medical medical education in the country. To my surprise it was declined citing third party information. It should be noted that the erstwhile MCI regularly uploaded the inspection details on the website and functioned in a transparent way. It looks like the NMC which replaced the NMC is functioning in an opaque manner.”

However, referring to the issue a top NMC official told The Telegraph that NMC has done away with the MCI’s practice of inspections. Nowadays, assessments are made based on self-declaration forms that each medical college must submit to the Commission. As per the self-declaration forms, nearly 600 out of 684 medical colleges running MBBS courses in India have deficiencies and therefore such colleges are liable for fine. 

Explaining that the type and volume of deficiencies vary from college to college, the official added, “Some have 10 per cent, some have 50 per cent, some have 80 per cent — we want all the colleges to score 100 per cent…We give colleges time to address the gaps. If they don’t fulfil, we then impose fines. Colleges have started working on it (the gaps).”

Earlier, aiming to ensure the optimum level of transparency in functioning and facilities available in the medical colleges, NMC recently put the details of 684 medical colleges running MBBS courses in the public domain.

These details can be accessed under the “Annual Declaration” tab on the Apex Medical Regulator’s (NMC) website. The Commission has uploaded various details of the medical colleges including the name and details of the medical college, application id, student admission details, hospital details, clinical load details, death/birth details in the locality, faculty details, and OT details.

Referring to this, the NMC official told The Telegraph that the public could correlate the details provided with the required NMC prescribed standards to determine which medical colleges have inadequate infrastructure. 

Also Read: Annual Declaration: NMC Publicises Details of 684 Medical Colleges Running MBBS Course

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NEET Row: NTA director removed, Former ISRO chief led panel to investigate irregularities

New Delhi: Facing a strong backlash from every corner of the country over alleged irregularities in conduct of the NEET exam this year, the government has now removed the Director General of the exam conducting body, the NTA ( National Testing Authority), Mr Subodh Singh from his post. 

An official said he has been put on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) till further orders.

Instead, the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola has been assigned additional charge of the testing agency till appointment of a regular incumbent.

“NTA DG has been put on compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training. Pradeep Singh Kharola has been assigned additional charge of NTA DG till further orders,” a senior official said.

Meanwhile,  the Ministry of Education has also constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts under the chairmanship of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur, to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations.

” The Committee to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of examination process, improvement in Data Security protocols and structure and functioning of NTA. The Committee is to submit its report to the Ministry within 2 months,” stated the Ministry of Education in its release

Terms of Reference of the committee 

(i) Reform in mechanism of examination process

(a) To analyse the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach.

(b) To conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols of the NTA, and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures/protocols along with monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance at every level.

(ii) Improvement in Data Security protocols

(a) To evaluate the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement.

(b) To examine existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance robustness of system.

(iii) Structure & Functioning of National Testing Agency

(a) To make recommendations on the organizational structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA) for implementation of recommendations given under point (i) and (ii) and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level.

(b) Assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency.

Who are the commitee members?

The following shall be the Chairman and Members of the High-Level Committee.

1

Dr. K. Radhakrishnan,

Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur.

Chairman

2

Dr. Randeep Guleria,

Former Director, AIIMS Delhi.

Member

3

Prof. B J Rao,

Vice Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad.

Member

4

Prof. Ramamurthy K,

Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras.

Member

5

Shri Pankaj Bansal,

Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat.

Member

6

Prof. Aditya Mittal,

Dean Student Affairs, IIT Delhi

Member

7

Shri Govind Jaiswal,

Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education,

Govt. of India

Member Secretary

The Committee can co-opt any Subject Matter Expert to assist them, the government release further added 

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Breaking News: NEET PG postponed at the last minute, fresh dates to be announced

New Delhi: In an unexpected turn of events, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2024 has been postponed just 12 hours before it was scheduled to take place. The decision was taken as precautionary measure by the Union Health Ministry amid the ongoing controversies concerning the NEET exam as well as the UGC NET exam 

“Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of processes of NEET-PG Entrance Examination, conducted by National Board of Examinations for medical students. It has accordingly been decided, as precautionary measure to postpone the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, scheduled to be held tomorrow i.e. 23rd June, 2024,” the Union Health Ministry stated in a release

“Fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest,” the release added

“Ministry of Health sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students. This decision has been taken in the best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of examination process,” the government stated in its release 

Doctors are seeing red at the last minute decision of the government.  The move has indeed shocked doctors, many of whom would be preparing for a sleep before the exam, Dr Manish Jangra, Founder, FAIMA highlighted that apart from being a temporary shock, this will indeed add to the agony of the students. “Many students had booked hotels, flights. The government has wasted their precious time. The integrity of the government is definitely in question, with such moves showing that the government is incapable of conducting a exam planned so many months ago. Many students wanted to join job after exam to survive through this phase. Now they are stuck. Very sad to hear this.”

More updates on this story soon….

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Breaking: CBI ordered to investigate NEET exam scandal

New Delhi: Responding to the demands of various medical aspirants who called out the alleged irregularties in conduct of NEET exam and demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter, the Ministry of Education has now entrusted the matter of alleged irregularities in NEET (UG) Examination 2024 to CBI for the comprehensive investigation.

The confirmation to this has come late this evening in a government release post 11 pm that stated,” National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted NEET(UG) Examination on 5th May 2024 in OMR (Pen and paper) mode. Certain cases of alleged irregularities / cheating / impersonation / malpractices have been reported,”

“For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India a after a review has decided to entrust the matter to thea Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation. Central Government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in the public examinations and to provide for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

” Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/ organization found to be a involved will face strictest action,” the release added

The government however, did not specify any timelines for the completion of the investigation by the CBI

The move comes as the government also removed the NTA chief, Mr Subodh Singh from his post while also constitutinf a High-Level Committee of Experts under the chairmanship of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur, to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations. Dr Randeep Guleria, Former AIIMS head will also be a part of the committee that will look into three aspects namely Reform in mechanism of examination process, improvement in Data Security protocols and structure and functioning of NTA.

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Health Ministry warns against commercial dealings in organ transplantation of foreigners, emphasizes awareness of transplant laws

New Delhi: To prevent any possible commercial dealings involving foreign citizens in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asking them to educate the foreign nationals regarding the guidelines and legal responsibilities concerning organ transplantation procedures in India.   

According to the letter, the Union Health Ministry has asked both ministries to ensure that information regarding organ transplant laws is prominently displayed at airports and on the Bureau of Immigration’s web portals. This measure aims to enhance the accessibility and awareness of these laws among a broader audience. 

In the letter dated June 19, Union health secretary, Apurva Chandra said, “It is essential for these foreign nationals visiting India for organ transplants to understand the specific guidelines and legal requirements that regulate the process of organ transplantation in India.”

Also read- Only Registered Hospitals Should Engage In Removal, Storage Or Transplantation Of Human Organs: SC Seeks Govt Reply On PIL

Further, the letter stated, “Organ and tissue donation and transplantation are regulated in India under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994. The law prohibits any commercial dealings in human organs or tissues. However, it allows an Indian to donate her organs to a close relative—spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson or granddaughter.

Foreign donors or recipients require prior approval from the Authorization Committee for organ or tissue transplantation. Besides, a senior official—of the embassy of the country of origin in India—is required to certify the relationship between the donor and the recipient as per form 21.”

“In this case, foreign patients needing organ(s) from a deceased donor for transplant can also seek registration in India through their treating hospital, after which their name will be included in the waiting list registry. However, such cases would be considered for only when there is no Indian patient, is available to take that organ in the whole country,” as reported by Mint

The Union Health Ministry in April had asked all states and UTs to investigate any violations and take appropriate action, including suspension of registration, against hospitals performing illegal organ transplants.

In a letter to all states and UTs, Dr Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Government of India, urged to ensure regular collection and sharing of data of all transplant cases, including those of foreigners, with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) on a monthly basis. The Ministry had issued the direction around two weeks after an organ trafficking racket, involving Bangladeshi nationals, being run in Haryana and Rajasthan was busted.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that aiming to stop the illegal trading of human organs, the Union Government has sent out an alert to all States/Union Territories on websites and social media groups engaged in such activities, calling for strict action in this regard.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has made specific references to certain websites/social media groups that are offering huge money for kidneys and other organs. One such publication was in the name of a popular hospital in Karnataka. In that post, an offer of Rs 5 crore was made for a kidney matching certain parameters.

The Union Government shared the web link and other such social media posts that were being shared regularly and said that such activities were punishable offences under Section 18 of the Act with fine ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore and imprisonment ranging from 5 years to 10 years. Such illegal activities were a major hindrance to the national organ transplantation programme.

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a national-level organisation under the DGHS. It was set up in pursuance to mandate given to the Central Government to set up a network for organ procurement distribution and to maintain a national registry for the purpose of surveillance of organ donation and transplantation in the country.

Dr Anil Kumar, director of NOTTO said, “Foreigners mostly come to private hospitals, and private hospitals must educate such patients before they come to the country. However, It is not being done properly. That’s why Indian high commissions, Bureau of Immigration and the MEA have been requested to display these messages to educate foreign patients”.

Also read- Centre Sends Alerts To States, UTs On Websites, Social Media Involved In Illegal Trading Of Human Organs

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NEET PG 2024 on June 23: Do’s And Don’ts For Exam Day

The National Board of Examination (NBE) is going to conduct the NEET PG 2024 on 23rd June 2024 from 9 AM to 12:30 PM on a computer-based platform across the country at more than 1000 test centres in approximately 300 test cities, and the result will be declared by July 15, 2024.

NEET PG 2024 is being held for admission to various MD, MS, PG Diploma Courses, Post MBBS DNB Courses, Post MBBS Direct 6-year DrNB courses and NBEMS diploma courses. The candidates appearing for the exam should be aware of the do’s and don’ts of the exam day.

For more details, check out the full story on the link below:

Appearing for NEET PG 2024! Know Do’s and Dont’s for exam day

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Study identifies first drug therapy for sleep apnea

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and international collaborators have led a worldwide, advanced study demonstrating the potential of tirzepatide, known to manage type 2 diabetes, as the first effective drug therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-related disorder characterized by repeated episodes of irregular breathing due to complete or partial blockage of the upper airway.

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