Renewal of MMC Registration!

Maharashtra Medical Council has issued a notice recently by which all registered medicos with MMC are required to apply for renewal of their registration with DD of of Rs 500.
For details please visit website of MMC,Mumbai mmcmumbai.com

Medical Tourism

What's called medical tourism – patients going to a different country for either urgent or elective medical procedures – is fast becoming a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry.

The reasons patients travel for treatment vary. Many medical tourists from the United States are seeking treatment at a quarter or sometimes even a 10th of the cost at home. From Canada, it is often people who are frustrated by long waiting times. From Great Britain, the patient can't wait for treatment by the National Health Service but also can't afford to see a physician in private practice. For others, becoming a medical tourist is a chance to combine a tropical vacation with elective or plastic surgery.

Medical tourism is actually thousands of years old. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing god, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In Roman Britain, patients took the waters at a shrine at Bath, a practice that continued for 2,000 years. From the 18th century wealthy Europeans travelled to spas from Germany to the Nile. In the 21st century, relatively low-cost jet travel has taken the industry beyond the wealthy and desperate.

Countries that actively promote medical tourism include Cuba, Costa Rica, Hungary, India, Israel, Jordan, Lithuania, Malaysia and Thailand. Belgium, Poland and Singapore are now entering the field. South Africa specializes in medical safaris-visit the country for a safari, with a stopover for plastic surgery, a nose job and a chance to see lions and elephants.
India is considered the leading country promoting medical tourism-and now it is moving into a new area of "medical outsourcing," where subcontractors provide services to the overburdened medical care systems in western countries.

India's National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is legally an "export" and deemed "eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings." Government and private sector studies in India estimate that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US into the country by 2012. The reports estimate that medical tourism to India is growing by 30 per cent a year.

India's top-rated education system is not only churning out computer programmers and engineers, but an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 doctors and nurses each year.

The downsides of medical tourism

Experts have identified a number of problems with medical tourism

Government and basic medical insurance, and sometimes extended medical insurance, often does not pay for the medical procedure, meaning the patient has to pay cash.
There is little follow-up care. The patient usually is in hospital for only a few days, and then goes on the vacation portion of the trip or returns home. Complications, side-effects and post-operative care are then the responsibility of the medical care system in the patients' home country.
Most of the countries that offer medical tourism have weak malpractice laws, so the patient has little recourse to local courts or medical boards if something goes wrong.
There are growing accusations that profitable, private-sector medical tourism is drawing medical resources and personnel away from the local population, although some medical organizations that market to outside tourists are taking steps to improve local service.(Source)

Dr Jabbar Patel

Dr Jabbar Patel is a renowned theatre and film director of India.

Born in 1942 in Pandharpur in Maharashtra his most acclaimed film is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar released in 1999. He completed his MBBS from B.J.Medical College,Pune.
A paediatrician by profession, Jabbar Patel founded the best-known Marathi experimental theatre group, 'Theatre Academy'. Their works include the landmark stage production of Vijay Tendulkar's play Ghashiram Kotwal (1972) and also the adaptation of Brecht's Threepenny Opera (Teen Paishacha Tamasha, 1974) to the stage in Marathi. His films, often scripted by Vijay Tendulkar rely on topical political references and theatrical acting styles.

Dates of Entrance Examinations for admission to MD/MS/Diploma/MDS courses

As per guidelines issued by the Medical Council of India, New Delhi and Dental Council of India, New Delhi, the dates for Entrance Examination for admission to Medical and Dental Postgraduate courses i.e. MD/MS/Diploma/MDS courses will be as follows.
MD/MS/Diploma Medical Postgraduate courses
(PGM-CET) - 2007
Sunday, 21st January, 2007
10.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

MDS Dental Postgraduate courses (PGD-CET) - 2007
Sunday, 21st January, 2007
10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

All the best folks.

Dr Mohan Agashe

Dr. Mohan Agashe, a Psychiatrist who opted to work in a government hospital rather than to go in for the much more lucrative world of private practice, so as to have equal time to devote to his first love, 'acting'.
Agashe has been acknowledged as one of the finest actors on the stage and screen, in the seventies and eighties. Beginning with an acting tour-de-force as the machiavellian Nana Phadnavis in Vijay Tendulkar's internationally acclaimed play Ghashiram Kotwal, Agashe went on to great heights in a succession of plays and award winning films by masters like Satyajit Ray, Mira Nair, Shyam Benegal, Gautam Ghose and Jabbar Patel. But his greatest contribution to the Indian Theatre in general and Marathi Theatre in particular has been his pioneering work in introducing concept of Grips Theatre Berlin in India in 1986 which today has become a self sustained movement. As an honorary Director of "Theatre" Academy - Grips Project" he produced in collaboration with Grips Theatre, Berlin and Max Mueller Bhavan excellent yet meaningful realistic plays which opened a new chapter in Indian theatre for Children and Youth besides conducting several workshop all over India on Grips methodology with the help of Goethe Institute branches in India. He was awarded 'The Goethe Medal' - Official Decoration of German Government, by the President of The Goethe Institut in March 2004.


He also introduced contemporary Indian Theatre to Europe and North America as an actor-manager of Theatre Academy's overseas tours to present Vijay Tendulkar's folk musical play ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ invited to International Theatre Festivals of Berlin (Festwochen 1980), Lille (1980) Belgrade (BITEF 1989) Quebec (1986) and Baltimore (Theatre of Nations 1986) besides guest performances in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest, Moscow, and many cities of North America


He was Theatre Consultant in 1987 to Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and in charge of the Theatre Program for the Festival of India in former USSR.


Recipient of Prestigious ‘Bundesverdienskreuz’ (The Cross of Order of Merit) from the President of Federal Republic of Germany in 2002 and Sangeet Natak Academy Award for Theatre (Highest National Honour in Arts in 1996, he was conferred ‘Padma Shri’ by President of India in 1990.


Besides he has been recipient of International Theatre Institute (German Branch) hospitation programme in Berlin in 1984, Homi Bhabha Fellowship in 1985, Nadikar Theatre Contribution award in 1991. And Northbrook Society's ABCS (Association of British Council Scholars) Scholarship (1993)


On medical side, he initiated a project to strengthen the mental health education and service in 1988, which resulted in Maharashtra Government adopting a new Mental Health Policy. As a Mental Health Advisor to Government of Maharashtra, he established Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health (State level Training and Research Institute) at Pune in 1991 of which he is the founder Director-Professor. He helped Maharashtra Government to reorganize the Mental Health Services in the State.


He initiated psychosocial rehabilitation of victims of Latur earthquake of 1993 and was the Principal Investigator of a Research Project undertaken by ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) Centre for Advanced Research to study the Health Consequences of Earthquake disaster in 1994. Currently he is the Principal Investigator of an Indo-US joint Research Project on "Cultural Disorders of Fatigue and Weakness". He was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Annual National conference of Indian Psychiatric Society held at Armed Forces Medical College, Pune in January 2001.


In 1997 Dr. Agashe was invited to occupy the chair of Director of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, where he continued till April 2002.



In the moment he is


Honorary President of Maharahshtra Cultural Centre

Honorary Director D.A.T.E. (Developing Awareness Thru’ Entertainment)

Advisor to Government of Maharashtra on Mental Health-Policy and Program




In the past, he has been


Director-Professor Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health, Pune and Ex-officio Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, B.J. Medical College and Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune (1991-March 1997 and July 2002- July 2005)
Director, Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (April 1997-April 2002)

Honorary President of Theatre Academy, Pune (1985-1991)

Non-official Director on the Board of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC 1985-1987)

Theatre Consultant to Indian Council for Cultural Relations (1987)

Dr Abhay Bang and Dr Rani Bang

A husband-and-wife team of doctors in India is making a difference in helping reduce country’s infant and maternal mortality ratios. Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang lead the Society of Education, Action and Research in Community Health (SEARCH) in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.Their Home-Based Neonatal Care Program, which trains village women to diagnose and treat newborns, reduced incidents of infant mortality over a one-year period from 120 to 30 in 39 villages in their district. During the same period, postpartum maternal morbidity in the intervention area was reduced by more than 50 percent. This program is now being replicated at seven sites in Maharashtra.In a country like India, where state-of-the-art medical care at modern hospitals is not accessible to millions of villagers, this program holds great hope.Recently Time magzine honoured them as 'Global Heroes of Health'.Government of Maharashtra awarded them "Maharashtra Bhushan'
Their work will definitely inspire generations of medicos to come.

Mumbai Medicos arrested

On Friday 25th August,about 200 students and doctors, including senior doctors of Indian Medical Association were arrested while protesting against Centre's decision to introduce quota in government-aided educational institutions.The medical students, doctors and activists of Youth for Equality, members of Maratha Mahasangh and Bhiwandi Vyapari Association staged an anti-reservation protest in Mumbai and were trying to proceed towards Chief Minister's residence at Malabar Hill.

Dr Sudam Khade

Inborn talent,sharp memory,determination,strong will and belief in ambitions made Dr Sudam Khade an icon for medicos not only from Maharashtra but also India.
He hails from a drought hitten village of Satara district of Maharashtra.Born in a farmer's family Dr Sudam showed his talent in academics as well as sports.He played Kabaddi at state level and led state in scout.Facing adversaries with great courage,he topped university in MBBS exam.Later on,he served poor and needy patients free of cost.He directed and acted in many street-plays on health issues.
He won state level award for his role in Marathi play 'Tarun Turk Mhatare Ark'.
He studied for IAS exam for only one year and topped rural Maharashtra.He feels one can give social service as a Doctor but same purpose can be served in a better way by IAS officers.
After his success he received more than 250 shawls as gifts.He donated all those shawls to poor patients anonymously.
Salute to Dr Sudam Khade and best wishes for his future.

ASS0-CET-2006 Selection List

As per the Order of the Hon'ble High Court dated 10th August 2006 the Programme of admission for the Health Science Courses (MBBS/BDS/BAMS/BHMS/B. PTh/ B.Oth and B. Sc Nursing) for the year 2006-07 is as follows:-



Declaration of First List on Web Site ... 19/08/2006
Last date of Joining the College ........ 23/08/2006
Last date of Retention Form Submission.... 25/08/2006
Declaration of Second Selection List on Web Site 4/09/2006
Last date of Joining the College..................8/09/2006
Last date of Retention Form Submission............11/09/2006
Declaration of Third Selection List on Web Site ..20/09/2006
Last date of Joining the College..................23/09/2006

For more Details visit the Asso-cet-2006 link in the right sidebar.
(Source)

Dimond Jubilee year of B.J.M.C. Pune

B.J. Medical College, Pune is one of the premier medical institutions in Maharashtra and India. The college, administered by the Government of Maharashtra, comprises various clinical and para/pre-clinical departments working alongside the Sassoon General Hospitals. The college has an illustrious past and many alumni have excelled in medicine (in India and abroad) as well as in arts (drama, literature, cinema) and politics. It has been ranked among the Top 10 Medical Colleges in India in a 2005 survey.

B.J. Medical School started in 1878, which was converted to full-fledged B.J.Medical College in 1946.This year B.J. is celebrating it's diamond jubilee.
B. J. Medical College, Pune is in its glorious 60th year! This Diamond Jubilee year is a time for contemplation, consolidation and celebration. 'BJMC Pune Alumni & Staff Association' has been launched with a purpose of channelizing efforts to upgrade this institution in various ways. All students, staff and well-wishers who have passed through the portals of this hallowed institution are invited to add to the sparkle, by your presence and munificence. For those who have participated in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, it is time to renew afresh old memories and for those who missed it, this is an opportunity to renew old ties.

The 'BJMC Pune Alumni & Staff Association' will strive to upgrade the facilities in the college for education, research and service. As a part of this strategy, some of the objectives of the Diamond Jubilee celebration will be the renovation of the College Auditorium - the hub of our academic, research and cultural activities, and renovation of basement area of college to use as office of Alumni Association and Research Society.

'Diamonds are Forever', and so will be memories of Diamond jubilee year celebrations. The year is studded with academic programmes and updates which will culminate in a dazzling display of the joint celebrations of the Annual Conference of Research Society and the Grand Finale of Diamond Jubilee.

Universal exam of MD/MS Doctors

Soon,Postgraduate MD/MS doctors in India will have to take a common standard exam before they start practicing or go abroad.Standard of doctors varies greatly,thanks to over 295 universities conducting separate standards of exams.Single exit exam is expected to ensure a uniform standard.
Also,medicos from Mahaarshtra who have passed final mbbs exam in Nov/Dec 2004 are required to join post of medical officer till their PGM-CET Exam in Jan-2007.

Website for selection list MHT-CET-2006 for admission to MBBS/BDS courses

For easy access to selection list of candidates for admission to MBBS/BDS/BAMS/BHMS/BUMS courses ,a link is added on this page in the right side-bar.
You will find that link below the header "Links".You have to just click on it to view the list.

Kudos to Mumbai doctors!

Doctors in the Mumbai hospitals like Sion and KEM,have emerged as the heroes of the tragedy that unfolded in the wake of the serial blasts on commuter trains on last tuesday, working shifts of up to 30 hours to care for the more than 700 people injured in the attacks.
The doctors swung into action shortly after the blasts occurred within a span of 30 minutes on Tuesday evening, performing life-saving surgeries and providing first aid to those who escaped with minor wounds.
Doctors worked continuously for 30 hours.
Kudos to all Mumbai doctors who worked for the needy people.

Do you want Quota? Vote here today!

Government of India is all prepared to implement OBC quota from next year.That is what all politicians sitting in Govenment want so as to expand their vote bank.
But what all students in India feel?We will have a Poll on this blog-site.At the bottom of right side-bar of this blog you will find a box in white background which has a question which asks your opinion regarding quota in higher educational institutes like AIIMS and IIM.
This will be a fair poll as one person can vote only once.This poll will run this whole month and on 15th August 2006,you will see a detailed result here.

Ward no 5:K.E.M.

Dr Ravi Bapat needs no introduction to medicos of Maharashtra.The famous surgeon has served needy patients K.E.M.Hospital,Mumbai for last 45 years.Many students who completed their M.S. under his guidence are practising in well-known hospitals in India as well as abroad but 'Ward no.5-K.E.M.' continued to remain his 'Karmbhumi'.
Recently,'Ward number 5,K.E.M.'a book in Marathi,in which Dr Bapat has narrated his life story and his experiences as a doctor,has stormed the market with top position amongst best-sellers.
It is a must read for all medicos and definitely it will be a glimpse of Great surgeon's life.

MBBS in Russia/China

In an effort to compete with medical schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, Russian medical schools have recently been targeting Indian students through regional recruitment fairs and the five regional offices of the Russian Education Foundation, in a campaign to lure them with cheap fees.

Admissions to Russian universities has picked up after a six-year low following the amendment of the Indian Medical Council Act in March 2002.The act states that Indian students can seek admission to any state university in Russia listed in the directory of medical schools of the World Health Organization. Previously, only 11 universities offering bachelor of medicine/bachelor of surgery (MBBS) degree were recognized by the Indian government.

Fees for MBBS courses in Russia run from US$2,000 to US$3,000 depending on the institution. Only “leading” universities offer instruction in English.The Degree is recognised by WHO and the MBBS graduate can practice in India after clearing screening test by Medical Council of India.Fees in Medical Universities of China are almost same.

PLAB Cancelled in India!

Britain has officially cancelled the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test it has held in India for a decade for the rest of this year in what is seen as yet another, possibly final, attempt to limit the entry of non-European Union doctors into the UK.

The announcement of the cancelled PLAB-Part 1 exam was made by the General Medical Council (GMC), which conducts the assessment to certify non-EU doctors to practice medicine in the UK.

The exam has been cancelled in all locations outside the UK. The GMC claimed the decision was taken because of "low demand".

Till March, hundreds of Indian doctors routinely took and passed the PLAB-Part 1 at home, only to flood into Britain looking for scarce jobs and training posts.

Some facts of PGM-CET 2006

As first round for admissions to PG courses through PGM-CET 2006 is over,many open category students have contacted and put forward some facts.

Top 5 Medical Colleges preferred-
1. Seth G.S.Medical College,Mumbai
2. L.T.M.Medical College,Mumbai
3. B.J.Medical College,Pune
4. T.N.Medical College,Mumbai
5. G.M.C.,Mumbai

As we all know, 50% seats are reserved and 50% seats are for Open Category.
But 22 seats from open quota went to the students of reservation categories due to Ear marking. And more than half of these were from the top 4 Medical colleges of mumbai i.e. 15 seats. Thus open category students are getting even less than 50% seats. i.e. 46.01% seats of Maharashtra (252 / 547) and 44.24% seats of the top 4 medical colleges of Mumbai (123 / 278).
This in spite of the fact that in the-
First 50, 43 are from open category.
First 100, 77 are from open category.
First 200, 145 are from open category.

The figures can be confirmed from offical website of DMER.

What you have to say? Express your views here or email to maharashtramedicos@gmail.com

AIIMS resident doctors call off strike, medical students to continue stir!

Resident doctors of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) today called-off their 19-day strike and decided to resume duties from tomorrow to avert a direct confrontation with the Supreme Court. They, however, will continue to support the anti-quota agitation waged by medicos against government proposal to introduce 27% reservation to OBCs in elite educational institutions.
This decision was taken during a General Body Meeting of AIIMS Resident Doctors` Association, hours after the apex court ordered medicos to return to work immediately.

All the best!

Selection list of candidates for admission to Medical Postgraduate MD/MS/Diploma Courses throught PGM-CET-2006 has been displayed by DMER today.
The new batch of PG students is all set to join in next 2 weeks.I wish all the best to all of them who have succeeded in getting their desired speciality.

Seats in Medical colleges will be increased: Govt

The health ministry has given an order that seats at 9 medical colleges in India including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), should be increased as soon as possible.The move is the first concrete step by the government to pacify medical students protesting against reservation.
The Centre has asked all the nine medical colleges, including AIIMS, RML, Lady Hardinge, Safdarjung, PGI Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bangalore, JIPMER Pondicherry and Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi, to assess their infrastructure and frame a plan to increase the number of seats.
The striking anti-reservation medicos held another round of talks with the government but the exercise failed to make headway as the students and resident doctors insisted the Centre give its response in writing to their demands and decided to continue their agitation.

During the three-hour talks, the government is understood to have conveyed to the medicos its decision to double the number of under graduate seats in medical education institutions, hike the retirement age of AIIMS faculty members from 60 to 65 and set up six more AIIMS across the country.

Medicos are not criminals!

Mumbai police on Saturday brutally beat up medicos and other students protesting against reservation. Close to 20 students sustained injuries, with two of them admitted to hospitals with suspected fractures. Many others were treated for minor injuries.This is really shocking.

Definitetly medicos were neither criminals nor they were breaking any law and order.Not only Medicos but every Indian should condemn manhandling of peaceful medicos.
Yesterday Pune witnessed a huge rally by around 600 medicos and engineering students from Pune,Panvel,Satara,Dhule and Nashik, who protested against attacks on medicos by police.IMA has also called for day long strike today which is bound to hit medical services.

Every Medico hopes a amicable solution to the ongoing crisis will be sought soon.

Dr Nityanand Mandke

Dr. Nityanand (Nitu) Mandke was born on 31st January 1948.

After completing MBBS from B.J. Medical College, Pune, he came to Mumbai for his postgraduation in General Surgery and Cardio-thoracic surgery, which he did from KEM Hospital, Mumbai.

He went to UK and later USA and worked for a number of years with greats like Sir Magdi Yacoub Dr. Kirklin and Dr. Pacifico. He returned in 1985 and was consultant cardio-thoracic surgeon at a number of hospitals in Mumbai.He was equally at ease while operating upon a 6 month old blue baby as well as a 60 year old man for coronary artery disease. He was instrumental in pushing and developing offpump coronary bypass surgery in India. He was one of the few who arranged for the training of his residents abroad, on a regular basis.

He was a brilliant, patriotic surgeon who put the cardio-thoracic specialty of our country on an international map.

We are proud of them!

Maharashtra is known for having best Medical colleges in India.Here we have premier medical colleges like Seth G.S.Medical College,Armed Force Medical College (AFMC)and B.J.Medical College which have always featured in to Top 10 Medical Colleges in India.

Some Medicos from Maharashtra have touched new heights while serving the needy patients and they will be remembered for years to come.Their clinical acumen,operative skills and social services made them famous across countries. They make us feel proud when we remember them.

Herewith,I am starting a series on who's who Medicos from Maharashtra.To start with,nobody comes to mind but only Dr.Nitu Mandke.

Mail me your Suggestions to maharashtramedicos@gmail.com Also send me articles on prominent medical personalities.

Delhi Medicos on Strike

Students and interns of five medical colleges in Delhi went on an indefinite strike on Thursday protesting against the proposed move to increase OBC quotas in educational institutions.
Students of Maulana Azad Medical College, Lady Hardinge Medical College, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, University College of Medical Sciences and Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College were boycotting lectures and staying away from OPD services.
The resident doctors have also extended their support to the agitation and would be joining the students during the demonstrations.
Some students have also decided to boycott the ongoing exams of the second and fourth semester.
Medical students clashed with the police yesterday when they were stopped from moving towards HRD Minister residence to register their protest against the Centre's proposed move to increase OBC quotas in educational institutions.

Shortage of Psychiatrists!

St Cerebellum's Psychiatric Hospital,UK

India is facing an alarming shortage of psychiatrists. Expecting better quality of life,advanced facilities for research as well as salary package, the country’s specialist psychiatrists are heading to the Queen’s land where the crisis is even worse: one psychiatrist for every 90,000 people (compared to one for every 35,000 in India). The entire faculty of Lady Hardinge Medical College’s psychiatry department left two years back, leading to the department being shut down. Recently, several AIIMS faculty members have also moved to the UK. According to Indian government’s national consultant on mental health, the country had just 2,219 practising psychiatrists in May 2002. For a billion people, the country needed 10,000 doctors. In fact we have only 4000 psychiatrists.What is more stark is that nearly 15% of India’s population is suffering from mental problems, and 1% of them are admitted in hospitals.
More distressing is the fact that there are only 36 government-run mental hospitals of which 4 are located in Maharashtra. Maharashtra has about 480 pychiatrists to serve population of 10 crores.So a Psychiatrist is catering to population of 2 lakhs.
But out of these 480 about 240 are in Mumbai and 80 in Pune. So you can understand the pathetic condition of psychiatric services in rest of Maharashtra.Also there is shortage of clinical psychologists.With young medicos from Maharashtra joining MD Psychiatry course in prestigeous institutes like NIMHANS, Bangalore this year,we expect improvement in psychiatric services.

I am back

Hello Friends,I am back with my blogs with this new look.I hope you all had interest in reading my blogs in which I tried to discuss issues concerned with a Medico's life.
I expect this will be a platform for all medicos to share their views on various issues that touch thier journy from a medical student to a medical practitioner.

With best wishes