Diploma holders will become eligible to practice as specialists across India
The Government of India has now recognised diploma courses of College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS), which will meet the shortage of specialists in the country within the next five-years. College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) was established in 1913 during British rule to fulfill the need of intermediate medical specialists. It offers two year diploma courses in broad specialties like anesthesia, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedics, radiology, etc.
CPS courses, till recently were recognised only by Maharashtra and Gujarat Governments. Reportedly, the impact of CPS courses can be felt by simple statistics; the MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) of Maharashtra is 68 whereas it is 133 for Karnataka. With recognition coming from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare & MCI, the CPS diploma holders can practice as medical specialists across India.
In the words of Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health and Founder of AHPI, “The MBBS doctors are attached to hospitals under supervision of experienced faculty for ON-JOB training. It provides excellent opportunity for MBBS Doctors to acquire intermediate specialisation and which in-turn can strengthen rural healthcare delivery and improve healthcare indicators by making available adequate specialists in healthcare delivery.”
“65,900 MBBS doctors in government hospitals are now eligible to become specialists in two years. All 200-bed multispecialty hospitals and 100-bed single specialty hospitals in government and private sector having experienced faculties and adequate clinical load will be eligible to host the CPS training courses.”Dr Shetty added.