A Right to Information (RTI) query revealed that Uttarakhand has 42 doctors who are working in various government hospitals and medical facilities have not passed obligatory Medical Council of India Screening Test’ or Foreign Medical Graduate Examination.

Nadimuddin, an RTI activist who is based in Kashipur of Udham Singh Nagar district, commented on the issue that this situation is very serious as the RTI has highlighted. It is a serious violation and should be inquired. Also, responsible people should be held accountable.

For medical graduates wanting to practice in India after gaininga medical degree from foreign countries such as Czech Republic, Eastern European countries, Kazakhstan, China, Philippines, Nepal and Caribbean countries, the test is mandatory and is held twice in a year. State government officials were not available for the comment when contacted.

According to the data that was provided by the RTI, a maximum of 8 doctors are posted in Dehradun and Pauri districts followed by 5 doctors in Almora district, 3 doctors each in Nainital, Haridwar and Pithoragarh, 2 doctors each in Tehri, Champawat, Uttarkashi, Udham Singh Nagar and Bageshwar and one in Chamoli district.

A medical practitioner of not being named, runs a hospital in Dehradun, told TNIE that the screening test is controversial and requests a scrutiny and a ramp up. The test should not be a litmus test for people who work for years in foreign land.

The screening test, which was introduced in 2002 in India was challenged in court on the grounds due to lack of transparency. In 2009, it was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Source: The New Indian Express