Diploma courses at Kamla Nehru Hospital

pune: if the pune municipal corporation's (pmc) proposal to run medical post-graduate diploma courses at its kamla nehru hospital (knh) comes through, the largest municipal hospital, located in mangalwar peth, will achieve the honour of becoming the first municipal hospital in pune to conduct medical courses. the college of physician and surgeons, mumbai, has already given its consent for running seven such diploma courses at the knh.municipal commissioner t.c. benjamin told reporters on friday that it was a unique honour for the pmc that its hospital has achieved the status of an educational institute. "though we are not starting a full-fledged college, the diploma courses would ensure the presence of residents doctors at knh round the clock.their presence will naturally help our patients," mr benjamin said. he said the brihanmumbai municipal corporation (bmc) runs three medical colleges, while the thane civic corporation runs one medical college. mr benjamin said a team of doctors from mumbai, headed by s.m. sane, chairman of the college of physician and surgeons, bmc health officer alka karande, r.k. gandhi and c.b. purandare recently visited the knh. they have approved one seat each for the seven diploma courses, including gynaecology, child health, orthopaedics, family planning, skin and vd, medicine and preventive health. those clearing the mbbs examination are eligible to apply for these courses and the admission will be purely based on merit.the admission procedure will be worked out shortly. the 18 months diploma course recognised by the medical council of india will be conducted in three semesters of six months each. mr benjamin pointed out that after the first year the pmc will have three resident doctors, one each per six-month semester for each diploma course.this means that 21 resident doctors would be available at the knh round the clock.this would benefit the poor patients and the pmc too, which will be spending just rs 1,500 per month towards the stipend of resident doctors.