Naveen Patnaik denounces MCI’s decision over Medical college seats

Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik denounces Medical Council of India’s (MCI) direction to slash the number of MBBS seats at VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla, from 150 to 107.
Patnaik has sought the intervention of the Union minister of health and family welfare Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Describing the MCI’s decision as “unfortunate”, Mr Patnaik urged the Union minister to ensure that all seats in the premier health institute of the state are retained.
In a letter to Mr Azad today, Mr Patnaik expressed concern over the decision, while maintaining that it would be a great stumbling block for the state government’s initiative to provide quality health service to the people of the state. Giving details on various steps taken by the government to enhance both the health service and medical education at the medical college, Mr Patnaik said that apart from three-tier cadre reconstruction, the government has also appointed 34 tutors and resident seniors, as per the earlier recommendation of the MCI.