Baishali Mukherjee

On November 6, the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) – the affiliating body of all medical, nursing and paramedical colleges in Bengal) announced the formation of a six-member committee tasked with reviewing the medical examination system in the state.

This move came in response to persistent calls for reform from the medical community, including the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF). The demand for an overhaul of the examination system was further amplified by the tragic rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, which according to India’s top court has “shocked the conscience of the nation”, has sparked a series of protest marches, with many people taking to the streets, including doctors, to demand justice for the victim, a promising young medical student and to call for systemic change. More than 100 protest marches, including a gathering of women at midnight across the state to march under the chant “Reclaim the Night”, have already taken place in Bengal along with several others in India. 

The formation of this committee is part of a broader effort to address grievances within the medical education system in West Bengal. Cowering down to the demands of the protesting doctors, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has already accepted the bulk of the five-point charter of demand placed by the doctors on September 16 and the rest on October 21. Accordingly, on October 1, she formed a five-member enquiry committee to look into the allegations.

Subsequently, meetings between health department officials and university representatives took place last week. These discussions highlighted the urgent need to review and potentially overhaul the current examination system, which many felt was flawed and in need of reform.

WBUHS pro vice-chancellor, Debasis Basu, the would-be chair of the newly formed committee stated that the committee members would review suggestions from various stakeholders before presenting its final recommendations to the university’s academic council.

The committee’s primary responsibility will be to assess the current examination system, identify any flaws or areas of concern, and submit recommendations to improve its transparency and fairness. Health department sources indicated that the review process would be comprehensive and aim to address long-standing issues within the medical education system.

Although the formation of the committee has been welcomed by many, Ansuman Mitra, secretary of the Medical Service Centre, a doctors’ organization, pointed out that the announcement lacked specific details regarding timelines, conditions, or other essential aspects of the process. 

The WBJDF, which has been a vocal advocate for change, has also expressed hope that the committee will address corruption within the examination process. The medical fraternity had long complained of systemic corruption, including the influence of certain groups from North Bengal who reportedly manipulated the examination process. 

The review committee by WBUHS marks a significant step toward addressing the long-standing concerns regarding medical examinations in West Bengal. However, much will depend on the committee’s ability to deliver concrete reforms that improve the transparency, fairness, and integrity of the medical education system in the state.

Also read: Bengal: Panel receives complaints of ‘threat culture’ in medical colleges