The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) has opposed the state government’s move to allow Andhra Private Medical and Dental Colleges Association (APPMDCA) to conduct a separate medical test for MBBS admissions.

As the state government is already conducting the EAMCET (Engineering Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test) for MBBS admissions into government and private medical colleges in the state, the APJUDA has questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision and expressed concern that this decision of the state government will not only increase financial burden on the aspiring students but will also increase mental stress on the students as they have to appear for multiple test for MBBS admission.

Especially the junior doctors of Osmania Medical College have expressed their anger over the state government’s decision. The junior doctors feel that already the private medical colleges in the state are fleecing the students by demanding huge donations running into tens of lakhs of rupees for MBBS management seats. If the state government allows the private colleges to conduct their own separate test, the junior doctors fear that there might be chances of mismanagement and internal fraud, as has been witnessed during the Medical PG test in the recent past.

The junior doctors also fear that the state government’s move will also affect the quality of medical education in the state. They are also protesting against the uniform fee structure in all categories except NRI quota.

P.Srinivas, president of Junior Doctors Association said, “The fee hike will burden students and only the ones who can afford it will join. Private medical colleges want students who can pay hefty donations. Very little attention is given to faculty and improving teaching in the private colleges.”

On the other hand, the private medical colleges association has claimed that their move is due to increasing cost. A senior member of the APPMDCA said, “A uniform structure is needed to ensure fair play. Before admission, there are rumors of donations and to curtail that, a proper structure is being prepared keeping the middle class in mind.”