Mizoram-trained doctors hope to improve state’s public health

Mizoram witnessed a history-making event on April 12, but there’s a good chance you may not have heard about it.

The result of the first batch of MBBS students of Zoram Medical College, Mizoram’s only medical college, was declared on Wednesday, April 12, with a pass percentage of 71%. Zoram Medical College (ZMC), formerly known as Mizoram Institute of Medical Education and Research, was established on 7 August 2018. 95 students attempted the exam, out of which 68 passed the exam.
This batch may have a higher price or a better time. Residents of Mizoram well remember that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Zoram Medical College was the only designated hospital to cater to Mizoram’s population of 1,091,014 as per the 2011 census. Its 34-bed ICU was functioning continuously at 100% occupancy and ZMC officials reported severe staff shortage. Reports show an acute shortage of doctors, particularly in southern Mizoram, where the patient-to-doctor ratio in some areas is one doctor for every 50,000 people.
Lalrempuii Hmar, who bagged first rank with honors in Obs Gynae and Pediatrics, told, “Throughout my years in MBBS, there were times when I gave up. But from the first year I Whatever hard work he did helped me in some way.As a person born and brought up in Mizoram, I think we should help our state in the best possible way.If I get good results in my PG admission. get it, then i will choose mizoram as the most demanding field. if possible, i would like to further my career in mizoram.
“Statistically, Mizoram lacks the number of doctors to cater to its population. Our faculty at ZMC have tried their best to fulfill this need through our college. So we look forward to seeing improvements in the future. We hope, and we hope to be more blessed,” he added.
Explaining why she chose Zoram Medical College despite options to study in other parts of the country, she told East Mojo, “I chose Mizoram mostly because it was closer to home. And I felt that this was a way that I could contribute to Mizoram. I wanted to be a part of the first batch of ZMC. It is a great privilege to study MBBS in my home state and it Being a part of the first batch that our teachers have molded in. Also, by studying in Mizoram, we can freely interact with patients in our mother tongue.

Lalrempuii, whose father and mother are also doctors, was impressed early on. She was in the sixth grade when she started wanting to become a doctor. To reach the top, he studied for about 15 hours a day. “In medical college, we study mainly from 8 am to 4 pm. We have classes and practicals, during which our teachers constantly teach and guide us. After college, we go back to the hostel. are and immediately start studying again after eating. We study as much as we can, and during exams, if possible we study for 12 to 15 hours a day because we don’t have classes.
While
Lalrempuii was influenced by her parents, the second rater, F Vanlalchhuanpuia, was influenced by the lack of doctors in her family, “There are many factors that contributed to my interest in becoming a doctor. The first factor that I I can say it is my family background. There are not many doctors in our family circle and that is the reason why I decided to become a doctor in the first place. My parents are also very supportive in this situation. They are my inspiration in many ways. They are also helping.”

It was not only the dearth of doctors in his family but also the dearth of doctors in the state that touched Chhuanpuia’s heart and motivated him to reach his goal, “When I was treating many patients in Mizoram for various ailments. I see suffering, so I saw that there are many patients. There are not enough doctors in Mizoram. I thought that I can help somehow by becoming a doctor and God gave me such an opportunity through ZMC. given. My aim is to serve Lord and people and people includes all patients of our state. If possible outside state can also be included. But right now my priority is good of God and patients of Mizoram. To serve,” he said. He plans to pursue a PG in medicine.
Commenting on the infrastructure, Chhuanpuia expressed that while he was satisfied, there was a lack of facilities for extracurricular activities. “I am satisfied with the existing infrastructure and facilities. To be honest, I am satisfied, because this is the first medical college in the state. Things may be difficult in some ways, sure, but when we entered the first year, I now Also remember that the teachers were very sincere and the facilities were much better than our expectations.
By the time we reached the final year, the facilities kept on improving. New buildings were established and the faculties were also improving in number and quality. The library is also very good. Other facilities such as the hospital rooms and the operations theatres and all the study materials are also very satisfactory for us. I think it will be good if we have a gym for the students along with some playground such as basketball and football. We don’t have any indoor or outdoor facilities as of yet, but we have a small gym in the hostel room and the other sports facilities have not been established yet,” he added.
With no facilities for sports, Chhuanpuia and his friends had to travel nearly two kilometers to play futsal or swim.
The third runner-up, Ruth Lalrinawmi, hopes to do her postgraduate studies in a foreign country, however, like her colleagues, she plans to return to Mizoram and serve the local people. “I want to do my further studies in a foreign country. I can try United States medical licensing exam or opt for NEET PG if I get into my desired subject which is surgery.If I study in a foreign country, I can work there for a while. But, I will come back to Mizoram. I have a strong feeling that my country still needs me. It has always been a dream of mine to start an old age home. As we are a developing society and there is a lot of need for it in places like states, I think Mizoram will also need it.
About the infrastructure available in the college, he told that, “When we were students, we didn’t have enough classrooms. However, now there are new buildings and juniors have enough classrooms. However, we have the curriculum. There is no auditorium and infrastructure for activities.