Chennai: Medical Council of India (MCI) should increase the number of seats in MD Geriatrics across the country, said Dr V S Natarajan.
Speaking at ‘Muperum Vizha’ dedicated to the welfare of elderly in our community organised by Dr V S Natrajan Geriatric Foundation at Indian Officers Association auditorium at Royapettah, Sunday, he said as of now, there are only 15 seats in India for MD Geriatrics, but there are around 12 crore elderly people in the country. So, MCI should relax the norms and allow at least two seats in each medical college hospital in the country.
MCI should also introduce one year certificate course on Geriatrics so that doctors who couldn’t afford three year post graduate course can use the certificate course to serve the elderly. He further said that they would send a request to Tamilnadu MGR Medical College Vice-Chancellor and MCI to initiate the process.
Natarajan said, “We are initiating the process of Geriatric Seva Rathna Award for best doctors who are working for the elderly and next year we will have the first award function.”
The award has been initiated by former State Health Minister H V Hande and the award will be given 1 July 2020, on Doctors Day.
On the occasion, Mudhumaye Nalama and Nurai Eeralin Nalam Penuvom books authored by Natarajan was released by former Vice-Chancellor of Thanjavur Tamil University Avvai Natarajan and first copies were received by Classical Tamil Central Research Organisation vice president Dr Gnanasundaram.
Dr Sheila Sekar delivered the welcome address and Dr V S Natrajan Geriatric Foundation’s second year annual report was released by foundation’s managing trustee Rajashekar Manimaran.