'India capable of meeting shortage of trained doctors'

National meet on Medical Education held in city

 Medical Council of India (MCI) Academic Council Chairman Dr Ved Prakash Mishra, on Saturday said that India is the largest consumer of manpower in health sector and by 2020, there will be an acute shortage of trained doctors across the world.

Delivering the keynote address at the national conference of Medical Education ‘MECon-2016’ with the theme ‘Trends and Challenges in Medical Education’, organised by JSS Medical College, here, Dr Mishra said, “Accordi-ng to World Health Organisation (WHO), the world will face shortage of trained medical professionals. But,
India is one among five countries that can beat the challenge.”

He said, that according to reports available, from past three years, India has been producing 40,000 doctors from 425 colleges every year. But in 2016, the number may reach 58,000.

The medical students should equip themselves to attain international status and to compete globally. It is high time the gap between medical education and the expectations of patients is bridged and competence accompanies confidence, concern and compassion, he said.

It is essential to take care of various academic issues to meet various challenges.
He urged educationists to take necessary steps to update the curriculum as a periodic exercise. The chairman opined that there should be a standard and uniform medical education system across the country.

The organisers said that medical education in the 21st century is challenging and complex than ever before.

“Medical teachers in the present era need to tune themselves not only to the academic advancements, but also with vibrant technological complexities. They are expected to ensure quality in education, inculcate the behaviours of ethics and humanities among budding health professionals, perform research in education technologies and translate them into practice. The three-day conference offers a wonderful opportunity for experts in medical education across the country to interact, deliberate and explore recent trends, advances and challenges related to medical professional education,” said the organisers.
Former dean of Jawaharlal Institute Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, Dr D K Srinivas was honoured on the occasion.

JSS University registrar Dr B Manjunatha, JSS University director (Academics) Dr P A Kushalappa and others were present.