Once again Bengal shows the way! Another feather has been added on the State Government’s cap. WB Government’s effort to take up post graduation education in making specialised doctors from remote areas have been appreciated by the Central Government. Like the Kannyashree Prakolpo, the Union Government is now adopting this as a model for the country.
In its endeavour to make education available to all strata of the society, the West Bengal Government took the initiative to start DNB (Diploma of National Board) in six district Medical Colleges, which were approved by the Board after strict evaluation. This step will also help the State to deal with shortage of specialist doctors.
In the first phase the DNB course is being offered at Purulia, Krishnanagar, Barasat, Chinsura, Howrah and Asansol. Four more district hospitals where the course will start in the near future are Tamluk, Suri, Jalpaiguri and Siliguri. At the moment courses where specialization offered are Gynaecology, Surgery, Medicine, Anaesthesia and Paediatrics.
The minimum qualification required to get admission in this course is MBBS. While studying, the doctors will be able to practice in the concerned hospital. This will also reduce the burden of city hospitals where people from the villages flock. Now, specialised treatment will be available at their doorstep.
In a recently held workshop in Kolkata for the teachers, the DNB official appreciated the State Government’s initiatives and also informed like the ‘fair price medical shops’ this model too will be taken up for countrywide implementation.