Team Bharat Education 
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Published on:
Dec 23, 2022
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Medical students from India get paid internships while foreign medical graduates are often asked to pay donation
Foreign medical graduates who return to India after completing their degrees have to struggle at various levels. Due to a tough screening Foreign Graduate Medical Exam (FMGE), only 10-13% are eligible to practice in India. However, despite clearing FMGE, several students complain of struggling for internships and many are forced to take up jobs at low salaries.
It takes around 5-6 years for any FMG to complete the internship process due to the limited opportunities
"Usually for any Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG), it takes at least five-six months to get an internship in India. This is because there are limited seats and preference is given to Indian medical graduates," says Dr Shahroz Khan, medical graduate, Nantong University College of Medicine, China. "What is more worrisome is that while the medical students from India are paid a stipend for their internship, FMGs are expected to pay private hospital for an internship. Most students pay anywhere from Rs 3-10 lakh," he adds.
"Most graduates take at least a couple of years to prepare and pass FMGE. It would take another year in searching for a suitable internship and two more years to complete the internship. This amounts to spending at least 5-6 additional years to be eligible for practising in India," he adds. "To avoid this, many students are av- ailing internship opportunities in countries like Zambia and Ethiopia. These African countries provide rigorous training to the students and do not even charge a hefty amount," says Dr Shahroz. "Many medical students who were ineligible for FMGE this year due to the NMC directive that sta- ted students who did not receive their provisional degrees before June 30 cannot appear for the exam, are utilising the year by taking internship in countries such as Zambia, Philippines, Karzakistan. Around 30-40 students are doing their internship in my university currently. We will complete the 54 weeks of internship that is mandated by the NMC. The other 54 weeks will be pursued after we qualify the FMGE," says Dr Akash who originally hails from Bokaro Steel city, Jharkhand.
Dr Akash has completed his MBBS from Hubei University of Medicine, China and moved to Zambia after he failed to get any internship opportunity in China and India. He is currently doing his internship from University Teaching Hospital, University of Zambia. He says the internship offered in Zambia is providing strict training to students and would be completed under Rs 1 lakh.
A foreign medical graduate in Kerala who failed to get an internship even after trying for a year, says on the condition of anonymity, "I passed my entrance exam in December 2021, however, I have not been able to get any internship even after an year. Meanwhile, I am assisting a physician in my home town in return for a minimal wage. Those who can pay dona- tions or get recommendations can find a seat in private hospitals."Dr Vishal Sunda, 25, from Kudan, Sikar, Rajasthan who cleared the FMGE in June in his second attempt has managed to get an internship recently in Haryana.
"Around 795 seats were released Hoby Haryana Medical Council this year. Of these, over 200 seats have been filled. Only 97 seats of the total allocated are entitled to the stipend, for the rest of the seats, stu- dents will have to pay to get a de- cent internship. The Rajasthan Medical Council has not yet relea- sed any seats for internship despite the NMC's directive and hence the students from the state are looking for internship opportunities in other states," says Dr Sunda.
Published- Times OF India
Date- 21/112022
