Shimla: Relief for Disabled MBBS Aspirant

The Himachal Pradesh High Court recently provided relief to a disabled MBBS aspirant, who faced difficulty getting admitted to the Dr. R.P. Government Medical College Kangra at Tanda due to the confusion over her disability percentage.

Government Medical College Tanda had denied considering her admission after it was assessed by the Medical College that the candidate had 90% disability. While considering the plea, the HC bench had directed to take an opinion from the PGI Chandigarh Medical Board.

Referring to the opinion of the medical board, the HC bench at Shimla opined, "Since, as per report submitted by the Medical Board constituted by PGI, Chandigarh, the disability suffered by the petitioner is 78%, the case of the petitioner is liable to be considered by the respondents for admission to MBBS Course in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Kangra at Tanda, District Kangra, H.P."

"Accordingly, this petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to consider the case of the petitioner for grant of admission to MBBS Course in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Kangra at Tanda, District Kangra, H.P," further noted the bench.

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During the previous hearing of the case on December 5, 2022, the counsel for the petitioner student had submitted that the Medical Hospital, Sector 32 Chandigarh had assessed the disability of the petitioner as 78% and issued a certificate on October 17, 2022.

However, when the student got medically examined from Dr. R.P. Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, her disability was assessed at 90%. Considering the disability percentage, the petitioner was not entitled for MBBS admission since her disability had been assessed to be more than 80%. On the other hand, the certificate issued by the Medical Hospital, Sector 32 Chandigarh was 78%, pointed out the petitioner's counsel.

Considering the fact that there were two different disability certificates issued to the petitioner student, the HC bench had earlier opined that it would be just and expedient to get the petitioner student examined from a 3rd Institution.

"Accordingly, Director, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Chandigarh, is directed to constitute a Medical Board for assessment of the disability of the petitioner and submit its report on or before 09.12.2022," the bench had mentioned in its order dated December 5, 2022.

On December 12, 2022, the bench noted that the reports submitted by the Medical Board of PGI Chandigarh, which assessed the disability as 78%. Referring to this the bench opined that "the case of the petitioner is liable to be considered by the respondents for admission to MBBS Course in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Kangra at Tanda, District Kangra, H.P."

Speaking about her dreams of becoming a doctor, the concerned student who has been on a wheelchair for many years now, told Tribune India, "The first thing I did when I thought of becoming a doctor was to search Google if there were any wheelchair users in the medical profession. I found quite a few and that firmed up my desire to become a doctor."

Relieved with the HC order, the student hailing from Sarotri village in Kangra further added, "I am extremely happy and looking forward to fulfilling my dream of becoming a doctor. I am just focusing on starting my education in medicine as soon as possible and becoming a good doctor."

To read the HC order, click on the link below:

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