Visually challenged medico achieves his dream
A visually challenged medical student's dream of becoming a doctor came true after the Commission 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 and was registered with the Delhi Medical Council on 15 March 2004.
Anka Toppo had been selected for admission in MBBS course at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (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 AIIMS in May 2001 for 'want of approved guidelines' from the Medical Council of India (MCI). The Commission discussed the case with the authorities at AIIMS, drawing its 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 and cleared it. He 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.
Anka Toppo had been selected for admission in MBBS course at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (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 AIIMS in May 2001 for 'want of approved guidelines' from the Medical Council of India (MCI). The Commission discussed the case with the authorities at AIIMS, drawing its 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 and cleared it. He 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.