NHRC helps visually challenged medico achieve his dream
New Delhi, 22 March 2004
A visually challenged medical student's dream of becoming a doctor came true after NHRC helped fight his case. The student, C.S.P. Anka Toppo was awarded the degree in MBBS at the convocation held in Delhi on 13 March 2004.
Anka Toppo had been selected for admission in MBBS course at AIIMS, New Delhi in 1989. After passing his first and second professional examinations, Toppo was to appear in the final examination in December 1993 when he developed problems in his eyes in September 1993. This gradually reduced his vision and eventually he became totally blind.
As a result of his physical condition, the Medical Council of India refused him permission to take the examination. Shri Toppo then approached the Commission stating that he had been denied permission to appear for the final MBBS examination conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in May 2001 for 'want to approved guidelines' from the Medical Council of India (MCI). He also alleged harassment by the faculty and misinformation in order to prevent him from writing the final examination, even though he claimed he could read the normal books required for the course with the help of a computer and a scanner. The Commission issued notice to AIIMS on Anka's petition, marking the beginning of a crusade for justice for the visually challenged.
Discussing the case with the authorities at AIIMS, the Commission drew attention to similar instances having arisen in other countries over the years of persons suffering physical impairment being able to successfully complete their MBBS course.
The Commission also elaborated on the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 which comprises statutory provisions to provide persons with disabilities with equal opportunities in all matters, including the acquisition of knowledge and employment. It managed to persuade the examining body to amend the examination procedure to enable Shri Toppo to appear at the final examination. Shri Toppo then went on to give his final examination cleared it.
On 19 May 2003, the Commission accepted a suggestion by Dr. Dave the then Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences for rearranging of internship programme of Shri C.S.P. Anka Toppo to provide him an opportunity to complete the internship in such departments, where his talent is best suited. But Shri Toppo expressed his reluctance with the result that he was not allowed to complete the internship at AIIMS.
The Commission then called for a meeting on 4 December 2003 where Dr. P. Venugopal, Director, AIIMS along with Dean Professor H.K. Tiwari and Registrar Shri V.P. Gupta were present. After discussion, Director, AIIMS agreed to look into the issue for rearranging the internship of Shri Toppo. A few days later, the Commission received a letter dated 15 December 2003 from the Registrar, AIIMS that Shri Toppo would be allowed to complete the remaining period of internship of 43 days 'as a very special case'. Shri Toppo accepted the offer and successfully completed his internship.
In the light of the experience of this case, the Commission was informed by AIIMS that an exercise has been undertaken to work out a methodology, which could be adopted in all similar cases in future so that there was a system in position which could be put into practice each time such a situation arose.
The Commission also called on the Medical Council of India to perform a similar exercise so that the same facility and system is available in other medical institutions of the country as well.
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A visually challenged medical student's dream of becoming a doctor came true after NHRC helped fight his case. The student, C.S.P. Anka Toppo was awarded the degree in MBBS at the convocation held in Delhi on 13 March 2004.
Anka Toppo had been selected for admission in MBBS course at AIIMS, New Delhi in 1989. After passing his first and second professional examinations, Toppo was to appear in the final examination in December 1993 when he developed problems in his eyes in September 1993. This gradually reduced his vision and eventually he became totally blind.
As a result of his physical condition, the Medical Council of India refused him permission to take the examination. Shri Toppo then approached the Commission stating that he had been denied permission to appear for the final MBBS examination conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in May 2001 for 'want to approved guidelines' from the Medical Council of India (MCI). He also alleged harassment by the faculty and misinformation in order to prevent him from writing the final examination, even though he claimed he could read the normal books required for the course with the help of a computer and a scanner. The Commission issued notice to AIIMS on Anka's petition, marking the beginning of a crusade for justice for the visually challenged.
Discussing the case with the authorities at AIIMS, the Commission drew attention to similar instances having arisen in other countries over the years of persons suffering physical impairment being able to successfully complete their MBBS course.
The Commission also elaborated on the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 which comprises statutory provisions to provide persons with disabilities with equal opportunities in all matters, including the acquisition of knowledge and employment. It managed to persuade the examining body to amend the examination procedure to enable Shri Toppo to appear at the final examination. Shri Toppo then went on to give his final examination cleared it.
On 19 May 2003, the Commission accepted a suggestion by Dr. Dave the then Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences for rearranging of internship programme of Shri C.S.P. Anka Toppo to provide him an opportunity to complete the internship in such departments, where his talent is best suited. But Shri Toppo expressed his reluctance with the result that he was not allowed to complete the internship at AIIMS.
The Commission then called for a meeting on 4 December 2003 where Dr. P. Venugopal, Director, AIIMS along with Dean Professor H.K. Tiwari and Registrar Shri V.P. Gupta were present. After discussion, Director, AIIMS agreed to look into the issue for rearranging the internship of Shri Toppo. A few days later, the Commission received a letter dated 15 December 2003 from the Registrar, AIIMS that Shri Toppo would be allowed to complete the remaining period of internship of 43 days 'as a very special case'. Shri Toppo accepted the offer and successfully completed his internship.
In the light of the experience of this case, the Commission was informed by AIIMS that an exercise has been undertaken to work out a methodology, which could be adopted in all similar cases in future so that there was a system in position which could be put into practice each time such a situation arose.
The Commission also called on the Medical Council of India to perform a similar exercise so that the same facility and system is available in other medical institutions of the country as well.
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