Closure of pulmonology depts can affect battle against TB: IMA chief

BENGALURU: The National Medical Commission’s recent decision to remove pulmonology from the list of essential departments in medical colleges for MBBS course could be a big hurdle in India’s battle against TB, said RV Asokan, national president, Indian Medical Association (IMA).
“India’s plan to eradicate TB by 2025 could remain a distant dream unless we take corrective measures,” he told TOI.“The Prime Minister wants TB to be eliminated by 2025, but NMC seems to be going in the opposite direction. Pulmonology divisions have been closed in many medical colleges,” he added.
Asked how IMA was going to deal with it, he said, “We aren’t a statutory body. We can only tell the govt to intervene. NMC is the authority.” Dr Asokan was a guest of honour at the graduation day ceremony held at BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Last year, NMC removed the departments of respiratory medicine, emergency medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation from the list of essential departments for running undergraduate courses, while the department of integrative medical research was added to the list. tnn