Mysuru: The Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI), one of the oldest medical colleges in the country and the first in the State, will start two new post-graduate courses from the current academic year.

Medical Council of India (MCI) has approved a PG course in ‘Psychiatry’ and a super speciality course in ‘Plastic Surgery.’ MMC&RI has been demanding for these two courses since a few years.  Speaking to Star of Mysore, MMC&RI Dean and Director Dr. C.P. Nanjaraj said that the two courses have been sanctioned with two seats for Psychiatry and one seat for Plastic Surgery. 

Asked how the intake of students will take place, he said that it will be through NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). There are already 17 courses in PG level and with the addition of these two courses now there will be 19 PG courses.

The total number of students pursuing PG courses till now is 146 and with the intake of three more students it will be 149; in MBBS the intake is 150, while the authorities have been demanding for an increase in intake to 250.

The Institute had prepared a proposal and submitted it to MCI seeking approval but the proposal was disapproved in connection with OPD facility. 

According to sources, nearly 4,000 patients must visit the OPD per day to increase the intake to 250. But at present only about 2,800 patients visit the institute per day. Hence, it is said that the authorities are working on expanding the OPD and other facilities to increase the intake for MBBS.

In spite of the number of course on offer on the rise the demand for a few non-clinical courses like Micro-biology, Anatomy, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology has gone down. The reason, according to sources, is due to lack of job opportunities in these fields.