In a historic move for government medical education in India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 12 new postgraduate seats in both speciality (MD) and super speciality (DM) categories for Kerala.
Among these, two paediatric nephrology DM seats have been allocated to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, marking the first time a government medical college in India has received approval for this highly specialized program.
As the only pediatric nephrology unit in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College is expected to greatly benefit from this addition. Health Minister Veena George highlighted that these newly sanctioned seats will enhance research and specialized training in managing kidney diseases, dialysis, and transplantation for children.
Alongside the pediatric nephrology seats, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College will also gain two DM seats in pulmonary medicine and six MD seats in anesthesia. Alappuzha Medical College has been awarded two MD seats in psychiatry.
Minister George stated that this expansion aims to strengthen research capabilities within government hospitals and improve patient care by training a new generation of highly skilled specialists. She also mentioned that the state government is prioritizing the swift implementation of these new programs.
Currently, only Kozhikode Medical College in Kerala offers a DM seat in pulmonary medicine, making the addition at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College an important development for research and treatment in areas like sleep disorders, critical care, and interventional pulmonology.
Since this government took office, a total of 92 new postgraduate seats have been approved for medical colleges in Kerala, reflecting the state’s dedication to enhancing healthcare education and services.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Sreelekshmi P/MSM)