Government doctors make hay as the tutorial bug bites MBBS students

Also, it has been observed that apart from charging as much as Rs 30,000 per subject, the professors use government hospitals to conduct practicals for private college students. As a Sion hospital lecturer informed Express Newsline, "We tell our students the bed number and the symptoms to look for.

They then probe the patient’s history and we discuss the case later. If anyone objects and creates problems, we take the students to private nursing homes. Sometimes, chronic patients agree to visit the venue of the class." Students of Sion hospital allege that private college students who sit in their college library, are even issued reference books without an identity card.

Dr Sunil Pandya, Professor of Neurosurgery at KEM hospital and editor of Issues in Medical Ethics said, "In the past, dedicated medical professors have offered to guide students after college hours and on weekends free of charge. Such a noble practice has now degenerated into crass selling of knowledge."

This reporter posed as a relative of a prospective student from a private college in Navi Mumbai, to meet the tutors. Professors from Sion, KEM and Nair hospitals were keen to meet the new student. No one was ready to discuss the fees over the telephone. One such lecturer belonged to the medicine department of Sion Hospital who conducts classes near Kalanagar, Bandra.

He assured that he could `arrange’ for teachers in other subjects as well. "These teachers are often examiners in the final examination. Though we never disclose the student’s examination number to the examiner, the student feels "comfortable" with them during the vivas. They are all good teachers.

Some even at the professor and Head of department (HOD) level," he said adding that his wife, a lecturer at the KEM hospital conducts classes in his absence.

Even more shocking was his statement that a former dean of the Sion hospital had first sent a relative and her friends to him for guidance. "After I taught them, the dean insisted I charge fees. In fact, the dean’s spouse fixed up the amount at that time." When questioned, the former dean (now in a high office at the Mumbai University) maintained an anti-coaching class stand.

Commenting on the `examiner-coaching class nexus’, Dr Sanjay Nagral, an associate professor in surgery, KEM Hospital, said, "Doctors who conduct classes are often supervisors during the examinations. They arrange `suitable cases’ for their students during the practical examination."

A lecturer in medicine, Sion hospital conducts two batches (of 19 students) near Plaza Cinema, Dadar. A lecturer in Anatomy, Sion hospital has no full-fledged batch of students. But she conducts private tuitions at her Chembur residence or even at students’ homes.

A lecturer in Pharmacology at the Sion hospital said though she doesn’t take classes, she would introduce students to another colleague who did.When contacted, Dr Kumud Nihlani, dean of Nair Hospital and Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, Vice Chancellor, Mumbai University, condemned the practice.

However, they maintained that no action could be taken until they receive a complaint. Dr Pradnya Pai, dean of KEM hospital refused to comment on the matter.

Dr Rajendra Shirhatti, Dean of Sion Hospital told Express Newsline, "I shall take action as soon as I get proof against the erring doctors. "So far, I have at least been successful in stopping them from conducting classes within the hospital premises."