Why do medical students have to emigrate to become doctors in 2017?

This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mrs Juhi Chandrani, medical student at the AMC MET Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Juhi is affiliated to the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). However, the opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one. Medicinae Baccalaureus Baccalaureus Chirugiae, MBBS. The curriculum is just as complex and extensive as its name. Duration of study varies from country to country. Talking specifically about India, MBBS is five and a half years course. Students fresh out of high school are overwhelmed with thoughts of being doctors and saving lives but little do they know what they got themselves into! Med students work tirelessly throughout the span to turnout to what? Further more exams. Once they are through this prolix course by means of sheer hard work they have yet another train to catch. But here the problem being, the train has scarce available seats and copious aspirants. This train is nothing but highly desirous “POST GRADUATION “. According to recent statistics, there are total of 35117 PG seats in India and expected number of candidates to take NEET PG 2017 is around 117000. That leaves out around 81883 MED STUDENTS. Considering that a small proportion of it backs out or get enrolled into some other courses, but a major portion of this figure take a year’s drop, give in all they can and take the exam in the upcoming year. This is how year by year, number of candidates literally multiply. These days, there is news about quarter of a dozen medical schools opening every once in a while. But increase in PG seat isn’t in proportion. And on top of it, there is this RESERVATION SYSTEM to enable the backward classes. It is slap in the face for the OPEN category med students. An existent shortage made worse because of this. Here comes a vague thought in the minds of med students. “how about ditch this race and try my luck in something a little more promising and reciprocating? How about going overseas?“ Promising because the amount of hard work and talent is directly proportional to the chances of getting a match. Reciprocating because the job pays fairly well when equated to the amount spent along the entire path. It gives them the opportunity to get their hands on the best technology, the most advanced researches and what not. The scope of GROWTH in one’s field is way too tempting for a med nerd to resist. One main factor driving people out of the country is, those countries (USA, AUSTRALIA, UK, EUROPE) are all developed countries. Whereas in the developing countries like India, there isn’t sufficient fund to cure poverty efficiently and spend a huge amount of money behind health and the health care facilities at the same time. Out there the government hospitals are as good or at times even better than the private, lavish hospitals of the developing countries. The work culture is incredibly professional in foreign countries. To its contrary, here in India the patients and their relatives ferociously beat up their doctors. Is this what a doctor truly deserves? This tenacity and stubbornness has to be handled efficiently, or else country is certain to lose its precious human resource. About the author Juhi is a  medical student at the AMC MET Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Currently working as an Intern in LG hospital, Ahmedabad. Completed core clerkship in emergency medicine, psychiatry, ophthalmolog. Has been involved in field work in forms of medical camp, tuberculosis awareness campaign. Survey of health and hygiene in canteens in the medical college. Attended conferences and workshops on research toolkit, laparoscopy, suture, basic life support at TNMC Mumbai, Surat civil medical college, NHL medical college.