GMC increases MD seats; introduces PG courses

In a significant boost to post-graduate medical education and tertiary healthcare services in the region, Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar, has received permission for increasing the number of several MD seats, while introducing new postgraduate and super-speciality courses for the upcoming academic session.

Principal Dr Rajiv Devgan said seats in both MD (anaesthesia) and MD (obstetrics and gynaecology) courses had been increased from nine to 13.

The Psychiatry Department had also seen an increase, from three to five seats, strengthening mental health training capacity at a time when psychiatric services were witnessing growing demand, he added.

In addition, two new post-graduate courses have been introduced: radiation oncology, with two seats; and emergency medicine, with three seats, marking a significant step towards strengthening trauma care and cancer treatment services in the region. The institution has expanded its super-speciality portfolio with the creation of MCh (plastic surgery) and MCh (surgical oncology) courses, each with two seats.

Dr Devgan said the expansion reflected the institution’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and medical education.

“This is in line with the government’s efforts to increase the number of specialists and super-speciality doctors to provide quality medical services to all the patients of this region. The enhancement of seats and introduction of new courses will go a long way in addressing the shortage of trained specialists,” he added. “With the increase, GMC now has a total of 162 MD/MS seats across

specialities, and four seats for super-speciality DM/MCh courses.”