Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

Born and bred in Odisha's Sambalpur district, in the impoverished tribal interior where dreams usually get buried under poverty, 19-year-old Leeza Majhi has forged a trail few can even dream of. The apple of every villager's eye Leeza has not just cracked the extremely competitive NEET exam but also bagged a seat at Sundargarh Government Medical College and Hospital—a dream that now seems elusive, even fragile.

To Leeza, the free hostel at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Bamra,, disciplined routine, and caring environment didn't merely provide an escape from distress—they provided direction. "At KGBV, I wasn't a mere student. I was someone whom people had faith in," she remembers. The school became her compass, transforming mute dreams into a steadfast quest for a white coat and stethoscope.

"Having a dream to be a doctor was still in my mind at that time," Leeza says. "But I was doubtful, then teachers believed in me even before I did."

She moved to OAV Iconic in Bhubaneswar with 82% marks in Class 10 from Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV) to pursue science studies. There too, she battled beyond textbooks. Home-distance, coping with competitive syllabus, and maintaining show on pocket money wasn't easy—but she managed. All the battles were worth it as she got 81.6% in Class 12 and cleared NEET just a few months later.

What is surprising about Leeza's success is not the result—but her determination in the face of institutional problems. One of the bureaucrats at KGBV summed up her success as a "collective victory." "Leeza's narrative shows that poorest of girls are able to dream big with good guidance. She is a role model for other girls awaiting her village and beyond."

Now on the verge of becoming the first-generation doctor in her family, Leeza longs to go home and care for her people. "Lots of folks where I come from still think old-fashioned medicine is good. I want to give them good health care," she whispers.

In an era when faces so easily get washed out of the headlines, Leeza's is a soft reminder: at times the greatest heroes can be discovered in the most overlooked of areas.

Medical education seats in India are expected to rise significantly this academic year, with the National Medical Commission (NMC) anticipating a combined increase of close to 8,000 undergraduate and postgraduate seats nationwide. As per NMC chairperson Dr Abhijat Sheth, the Assessment and Rating Board had already initiated inspections on institutions that have applied for increased capacity, and the process was still on track despite a recent corruption investigation.

NEET-UG counselling has already started, with the first phase completed and the second phase likely to start from August 25. There were fears of the total seats available this year reducing, following the discovery by the Central Bureau of Investigation of a purported group of officials of the Union Health Ministry, members of the NMC, intermediaries, and representatives of private institutions who engaged in illegal manipulation of the regulatory environment of medical colleges.

The NMC then put on hold all proposals for developing new courses and increasing seats until the time when the agency carried out its investigations. The FIR filed in July implicated 34 people, eight of whom were Union health ministry officials, a National Health Authority official and five doctors who worked on NMC inspection teams.

"Along with my appointment, the president of Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) also has been appointed. We have taken on board completion of inspection of UG medical seats on a priority basis and the assessments are underway," Dr Sheth stated. "We expect an addition of approximately around 8,000 seats (UG and PG seats combined) based on the applications we have received in this academic year," he added.

Currently, the nation has 1,18,098 undergraduate seats, with a half-and-half division between government (59,782) and private (58,316) colleges. 53,960 postgraduate seats are available, of which 30,029 are in public colleges and 23,931 in private colleges.

Even as Dr Sheth accepted that some UG seats might have been cut back in response to the CBI inquiry, he underlined that the general availability was poised to grow after inspections are completed. "Due to the continuing (CBI) inquiry, numbers of UG seats might have decreased. But overall, the number of seats is ultimately going to go up by 8,000 or even more after the final inspection process ends," he added.

The NMC has also started inspection of colleges that had applied for new postgraduate seats and is sure these will be included in the counselling round in September. "We are hopeful that new seats will also be included in the PG counselling process," said Dr Sheth.

Coming to the National Exit Test (NExT) for final year MBBS students, Dr Sheth stated the NMC supported the proposal in principle but stressed consensus-building prior to implementation. "NExT is a new idea no doubt but there are so many questions left unanswered. We must make sure that this model is compatible with the medical education that we are offering to our students," he said.

He further said that the ministry had been pursuing the issue for the past two years and that the concerns of students had to be addressed in a complete manner. "Students' fear has to be removed and their confidence level for this exam has to be developed. It has to be made aware that this exam is not going to be tough to them but it is going to be a fair test to them," he added.

Dr Sheth also spoke of concerns regarding the quality of medical graduates during the steep increase in medical colleges since 2014, emphasizing that quantity and quality have to go together. "As we increase the number of colleges, we will have to see to it that the quality of the education does not get diluted," he said.

The NMC, he added, was making its accreditation system robust to ensure faculty, infrastructure and clinical material standards. "In addition, we have undertaken a process of phydigital model where we are pushing our institution to embrace a new solution beyond physical education involving skill and virtual education to deal with competency based training and digital and e-learning solutions in order to achieve uniformity in medical training across the board," Dr Sheth explained.

He further stated that integration with private and public hospital networks was being sought for broadening access to clinical material. "We want to take this chance. to ensure that we are able to access improved clinical resources for the budding medical students," he continued, further stating that the NMC aimed at sticking to its plan of implementing the expected reforms.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has instructed all higher education institutions (HEIs) to discontinue the offering of programmes in healthcare and allied fields through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or online mode from the July-August 2025 academic session. The directive is a follow-up to the suggestion made by the 24th Distance Education Bureau Working Group meeting that was convened on April 22 this year and passed during the UGC's 592nd meeting on July 23.

The prohibition is effective on courses under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. These include Microbiology, Psychology, Food and Nutrition Science, Biotechnology, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.

As per the circular, institutions already having the approval to operate these programmes will have it withdrawn by UGC. Universities and colleges have also been directed to not take in students into these programmes from the academic session of 2025-26.

Where a programme has more than one specialisation, like a bachelor's in arts with majors in English, Hindi, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology or Psychology, only the healthcare specialisation will be phased out. Other non-healthcare topics under the same degree will not be affected.

The decision comes amid concerns over quality standards in professional training. Former Professor and head of the Psychology Department of the University of Mumbai, Satishchandra, said, “The demand for psychology has gone up in recent years, leading to many private and public institutions offering it. But in several parts of the country, they have failed to maintain the quality of education. This decision will help check such practices.”

Welcoming the move, Vivek Belhekar, who heads the Psychology Department in the MU, said, "This is a step in the right direction and will benefit society as a whole. Clinical psychology needs intensive practical training. According to the guidelines of the Rehabilitation Council of India, we must have a 2:1 ratio between students and teachers. We cannot deliver such training in distance education mode.

But he also referred to the issue of there not being enough seats available nationwide. "Given the growing need for clinical psychology, the UGC or the top-most body needs to devise a plan which can enable public universities to increase opportunities, perhaps through a systematic online model," he said.

Demanding the re-establishment of federal balance in healthcare administration, DMK MLA and state planning commission member Dr. Ezhilan Naganathan has suggested that medical education be re-reserved in the State List of the Constitution. In a comprehensive report presented to the high-level committee on Centre-State relations, Ezhilan contended that the 1976 transition of medical education to the Concurrent List has substantially eroded state autonomy in health policy and administration.

Unveiling the report on Saturday in front of committee members — retired IAS officer K Ashok Vardhan Shetty and former vice-chairman of the planning commission M Naganathan — Ezhilan pointed to increasing "overt centralisation" in healthcare, particularly following the enactment of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act.

The report emphatically suggested the revocation of the NMC Act and the reinstatement of the Medical Council of India (MCI) as a statutory institution with more state representation. "The NMC undermines the constitutional role of states in regulating medical education, making healthcare governance less participatory and more bureaucratic," Ezhilan said.

He also reaffirmed the DMK's long opposition to NEET as a centralised hurdle which unfairly penalises students of regional boards and those with weaker economic backgrounds.

The report also faulted the increasing trend of Union-funded health programmes overstepping into core state domain. "National health programmes should be co-designed with robust state consultation to make sure equitable distribution of resources and proper implementation," it said.

The suggestions seek to reinstitute a healthier federalism in health administration — one that honors India's states' diversity while maintaining the right to accessible, locally controlled medical education.

A touching photo of medical dedication has spread on the web after the story of Dr. Oğuz Basut performing surgery with an IV line in his foot was posted and shared on the web. 

Dr. Oğuz Basut, the skilled surgeon, was busy with a complex operation to excise a tumor from a young woman's salivary glands. The operation was risky, the tumor having brushed against an extremely important facial nerve, which is why precision and unbroken focus were absolutely necessary.

Halfway through the surgery, Dr. Basut fell sick, suffering from low blood pressure, a lingering effect of food poisoning that had afflicted him the previous day. Observing the critical juncture of the surgery and unwilling to compromise the safety of his patient, Dr. Basut took an unheard-of and unexpected step: he asked colleagues to put in an IV line in his right foot so that he could continue operating while seated, stable, without having to exit the operating theatre.

In a matter of minutes, the IV had stabilized his blood pressure, and he was able to get through the intricate surgery unscathed. Through the whole ordeal, his focus was only on the patient.

When the news of what happened went public, a picture of Dr. Basut continuing with the operation unflustered (IV in his foot, sitting down for added support) began going around in full force on social media sites. The picture moved people, and it became one symbol of outstanding dedication and professionalism in the face of adversity.

Ahmet Saim Kılavuz, the head of Bursa Uludağ University (to which Dr. Basut is affiliated), recognized the excellent work of the surgeon publicly. He posted the photo and thanked Dr. Basut for his courage and dedication, placing the position of medical professionals who go above and beyond expectations, even in their own health complications.

Despite the flood of accolades, Dr. Basut modestly replied that he didn't put himself in the roster of heroes. "I'm sure all professionals would have done the same," he said, emphasizing the medical profession's code of responsibility and empathy.

The Dr. Oguz Basut story is an epitome of the relentless perseverance of doctors and the tough decisions they have to make. For all those searching up on "Dr. Oguz Basut surgery viral photo,” "doctor works through illness," or "surgical dedication stories," this story is a touching reflection of commitment to patient care that has touched hearts around the world.

Dr. Basut's action shows the level to which the ethical standards and sense of responsibility of surgeons are. The photo is real and has been authenticated by various credible news organizations as well as the president of Bursa Uludağ University itself. Dr. Basut's selfless act has revived respect for hospital staff around the world, reminding us of the tough, frequently unnoticed sacrifices behind hospital walls. 

Dr. Oğuz Basut's story of commitment is not a heroic tale but an everyday heroism occurrence in the health care system. Because being a doctor means playing the role of a god in the operation theater which is the toughest part. While the internet continues to spread and popularize the moment going viral, it is the enduring documentation of how passion and responsibility can in fact alter people's lives, even in the worst of situations.

Indian Council of Research on International Economic Relationship has shared a report that says India is going through a silent epidemic. Despite India’s sunny climate and the diversity in food culture, vitamin D and B12 deficiencies have quietly grown into widespread public health challenges. As new research and wide scale surveys indicate, these nutrient gaps affect millions of Indians, the young, and old, the city-dwellers and rural population. These deficiencies are not merely statistical; they hold the power to impact bone health, immunity, cognitive development, energy levels, and overall well-being. Understanding their root causes and consequences is critical to protect the health of India’s current and future generations.

Magnitude of the Problem

1. Deficiency in Vitamin D

• At least 20 percent of Indians are vitamin D deficient, whilst in some parts of India such as East India this is up to 39%.
• Children, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly. Research has established that nearly fifty percent of children aged between 0-10 years have been diagnosed with rickets, and a mind-blowing eighty to ninety percent of senior citizens are susceptible to osteoporosis.
•  Women and particularly women who spend less time in the sun experience deficiency more than men.
• Both rural and urban populations are affected but urban dwellers are increasingly susceptible, due to indoor lifestyles and air pollution.

2. B12 Deficiency

• The prevalence is a high 50% of the Indian population with suboptimal levels of vitamin B12, which increases to 65 percent in vegetarian individuals and 67 percent in pregnant women.
• B12 levels are low in more than 57% of all male corporate workers and approaching half of females in the labor market.
• Hospital-based findings place up to 85% of at risk children and similar numbers of elderly deficient. 

So what makes Indians deficient? Understanding the Causes

Lack of Vitamin D

• Lack of exposure to sun: Due to urban lifestyle, people do not spend a lot of time outdoors. Working hours, schooling, and leisure hours are spent indoors and thus the direct exposure to the sun is diminished significantly.
• Cultural dressing: Social norms and weather encourage dressing that covers the body and does not allow enough sun to get to the skin.
• Air pollution / sunscreen: elevated urban pollution and sunscreen screens UVB rays used in the production of vitamin D.
• Dietary gap: Indian diets generally lack vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, eggs, and fortified dairy products.

Deficiency of Vitamin B12

• Vegetarianism: Nearly 40% of Indians follow vegetarian diets, and vitamin B12 is naturally found only in animal products.
• Insufficient consumption of dairy products and eggs: An almost common diet in vegetarians is lacto-vegetarianism, in which a portion of the B12 source is avoided.
• Lack of food fortification: Unlike iodine or iron, there is no nationwide policy to fortify staple foods with vitamin B12.
• Digestive disorders: Other frequent gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease or chronic infection may diminish the uptake of B12.

Health and Social Impacts

Vitamin D Deficiency

• Children: High chances of rickets (deformation of the bones), slow growth and poor immunity.
• In Adults & Elderly: Osteoporosis, Fractures frequent, muscle weakness, increased risk of infections, diabetes, cancer, and neuropsychiatric diseases.
• Pregnant Women: Maternal deficiency - The mother and child are both affected with the newborn being prone to develop poor bones and long-term health consequences.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

• Anaemia & Fatigue: Deficiency leads to persistent tiredness, weakness, and breathlessness.
• Neurological Impact: Mood changes, neuropathy, memory loss, and cognitive decline are common symptoms, especially in older adults.
• Growth and Development: In children, physical and mental developmental retardations are highly associated with B12 shortage.
• Maternal and Infant health:  Low maternal. B12 negatively affects infant growth, appetite, and neurological development. 

Overlapping Deficiencies is a Downside

This is concerning in recent reports of the co-occurring vitamin D and B12 deficiencies with pregnant women and children being particularly affected. A survey in Jammu showed that 86 percent of pregnant women had vitamin D deficiencies, and 72 percent were also deficient in B12 at the same time- putting both themselves and their babies at compounded risk.

Diagnostic Gap & Public Knowledge

The main problem is that the majority of Indians do not receive the diagnosis until they may face serious, even irreversible, complications. Symptoms like fatigue, bone pain, numbness, and mood swings, often go unreported or misattributed. It is currently doing a national survey (SAMPADA 2024) to identify on massive scale micro-nutrient deficiencies for the first time.

So What Is Being Done? Policymakers & Recommendations

Government Initiatives

• Food Fortification: Limited fortification of milk and edible oils has begun, but coverage is still low.
• Essential Medicines: Vitamin D has been classified as essential medicine and listed under government dispensaries.
• Recommendations & Surveys: The Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Nutrition have released new guidelines advising that all people should spend more time in sunlight and eat better.

Expert Recommendations

• Awareness Campaigns: Inform  people about why vitamins D and B12 are good for health.
• Mandatory Food Fortification: Expand fortification programs for both vitamins, especially targeting staples like dairy, wheat flour, and oils.
• More Exposure to the Sun: Ensure early morning exposure (within 30 minutes at best) to the sun, and in particular to children and to the elderly.
• Regular Screening: Include screening of vitamin deficiencies into monthly maternal and school health screening.
• At-risk Group Supplementation: Offer supplements in clinics to children, elderly individuals, vegetarians and pregnant women.
• Respecting Dietary Diversity: Where animal products are culturally or personally avoided, offer fortified plant-based alternatives and supplements.

Vitamin D and B12 deficiency in India is high in human cost, yet preventable. These silent epidemics need to be addressed with a sense of urgency, multi-layered policy response and robust community awareness. Through a concerted effort, (both in education as well as fortification, supplementation and lifestyle), India can rediscover the healthfulness of its people and protect the future generation, against invisible, but devastating nutritional hazards. 

So, if you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, bone pain, mood changes, or neurological symptoms, consult  your doctor about screening for vitamin D and B12 deficiency. Getting health checks and switching to a balanced diet can make all the difference.