DHAKA, Feb 18: Bangladesh is growing as a sought-after destination for students from Meghalaya who flock to the neighbouring country to pursue their medical studies.
Currently, there are more than 20 students pursuing MBBS degree in different medical colleges of Bangladesh.
The major factors which attract students from Meghalaya to Bangladesh is the distance proximity, fee structure — which is cheaper compared to India, and the curriculum followed in the medical colleges, which is similar to what is being taught in India.
However, language barrier remains a hurdle for students when they venture to the other side of the border as majority of the teaching is done using the local language.
The students advocated the idea of Meghalaya having its own medical college since it is difficult to get admissions into medical colleges throughout the country.
This is one major reason behind students exploring the option of pursuing medical studies outside the country.
Majority of these students, however, are keen to return to serve the state once they complete their MBBS degree. A few of the MBBS students had the opportunity to interact with Meghalaya Health Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh after a cultural evening at Bangladesh Shilpkala Academy in Dhaka celebrating the liberation of U Tirot Sing Syiem.
During an interaction with a journalist from Shillong, Sedilia G Kharmalki, who is pursuing her MBBS in Dhaka National Medical College, said that she chose to pursue medical studies in Dhaka since the curriculum is similar to that followed in India.
The ease of returning home is another factor for her.
“We are happy to be in a country which is not far away from our own land. We can choose to travel by road from Tamabil if we want to go home,” Kharmalki said.
She said the language barrier is the only problem faced by her.
“Most of the classes are taught in the local language and especially in third year, we have to note down the history of the patient in the local language. Now, we are slowly learning the language and interacting a little bit,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sienlainam Mawroh, a student of Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Hospital, said that Bangladesh is at the top when compared at the statistics of students clearing the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) — a qualifying exam conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE) in India.
It may be mentioned that Indian students who completed MBBS in countries like Russia, China, Philippines, Georgia, Nepal, Bangladesh and other foreign countries must clear Medical Council of India (MCI) exam for foreign medical graduates to get a licence to practise in India.
According to Mawroh, the fees structure in Bangladesh is on the lower side when the currency is converted.
On Meghalaya having its own medical college, she said, “Priority for admission will be given to the local students if we have our medical college.”
Further, Beni Longman Lyngdoh, an MBBS student of Dhaka National Medical College, said it was difficult at the beginning because of the language “but we have managed to overcome this by making efforts to learn the local language.”
He added: “I feel that Bangladesh is the best option for students who are keen to pursue medical if they are not able to get admission into the medical colleges in India.”
Lyngdoh appreciate the opportunity to interact with the Health minister, who exhorted the students.
Ampareen appealed to all the students to return to their state to serve their own people after availing their MBBS degree. “All of us would be happy to go back once we complete our studies. It will be an honour if we are able to serve our own state,” Lyngdoh added.
After interacting with the students, the minister said she felt the students were satisfied and “are also managing to learn the local language.”
Stating that the state needs its own people to serve and help, Lyngdoh said, “If we have our own medical college, it would be very nice. I really wanted to see that the state will be able to have its own medical college in 2025. By 2026 and 2028, we can increase the number of medical colleges in the state. We need to work hard to achieve this goal of having our own medical college,” she added.
