Rising Demand for Emergency Medicine Spurs New PG Seats Across India. To meet the rising demands for medical professionals in India, the government has unveiled plans to increase the number of medical seats available nationwide substantially. This expansion encompasses both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical programs, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure. To know more about the topic “Rising Demand for Emergency Medicine Spurs New PG Seats Across India,” read the complete article.

Rising Demand for Emergency Medicine Spurs New PG Seats Across India

India is experiencing a momentum to boost the postgraduate seats in the field of Emergency Medicine because of the establishment of the compulsory department by 2022 in all teaching hospitals. The requirement was identified way back in 2009 when the Medical Council of India (present National Medical Council) accepted emergency medicine as a separate academic department. The National Board of Education also acknowledged the same in 2013. However, over the last 12 years, only 144 MDs and 139 DNBs have been trained in Emergency Medicine as a separate academic department.

The National Board of Education also stated the same in 2013. However, over the last 12 years, only 144 MD and 139 DNB Emergency Medicine seats have been allocated by the Officiating Medical bodies. This should be viewed seriously in the context of the standard treatment guidelines for most common emergencies, e.g., “Time is Muscle” as in acute coronary events, “Time is Brain” for Stroke, Golden Hour of Resuscitation” for trauma, the first hour of the sepsis bundle and the rapid triage of a Covid-19 patient.

New Seats for Medical PG Courses in India

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely “Up-gradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical colleges to increase PG seats.” The funding pattern is 90:10 by Central and State Governments respectively for North Eastern State category States and 60:40 for other States with the upper ceiling cost pegged at Rs 1.20 crore per seat. 72 Government medical colleges in 21 States/UTs have been approved for increasing 4058 new PG seats under Phase I of the scheme and 5 Government medical colleges have been approved in 3 States for increasing 98 new PG seats under Phase II of the scheme to date.

What is an Emergency Medicine?

Emergency medicine is the medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of unforeseen illness or injury. It encompasses a unique body of knowledge as set forth in the “Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine.” The practice of emergency medicine includes the initial evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and disposition of any patient requiring expeditious medical, surgical, or psychiatric care. Emergency medicine may be practiced in a hospital-based or freestanding emergency department (ED), in an urgent care clinic, in an emergency medical response vehicle or at a disaster site.

Why is There a Rising Demand for Emergency Medicine?

In recent years, the demand for emergency medicine in India has been driven by several factors, including

• With the growth of India’s economy and the urbanization of its population, the demand for emergency care has increased significantly. This has resulted in the development of new emergency departments and the expansion of existing ones.
• The Indian government has identified the significance of emergency medicine and has provided more funding to assist its growth. This has enabled the development of new training programs, research initiatives, and infrastructure improvements.
• Many Indian emergency medicine specialists have undergone training abroad and have brought back their knowledge and skills to India. International collaboration has also resulted in the development of joint research projects and training programs.
• Along with the advancement of new emergency departments, existing emergency departments have also been expanded to meet the increasing demand for emergency care. This has entailed the addition of new facilities and the recruitment of more staff.

Some of the newly announced AIIMS are