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DOCTORS OUT OF DANGER...
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 In introducing the clause, the British Government was showing how thankless it was. Physicians of Indian origin have made significant contributions in building and sustaining the NHS. For the past several decades, Indian doctors have been working in hospitals and sectors where local doctors wouldn’t even look, forget providing treatment.
The number of doctors taking the PLAB—Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board—test has steadily increased over last few years, since there is a perception that UK needs large number of doctors. Last year about 3,000 doctors passed the test, most of them come from the Indian subcontinent. Each of these doctors spends a large sum of money to travel to UK, pay the GMC fees and attend courses. Having then passed the exam one would expect that the doctor- starved NHS will welcome them with open arms.
However, the truth is these doctors struggle to find even a clinical attachment while only a few will land a job. Each of them has to write hundreds of applications and during this crucial time most end up in debt. They are forced to live in substandard accommodation and some have to find manual jobs. The immigration office is severe on those who do not find a job and they may be forced to leave the country. There does not seem to be any coordination between the Home Office, the department of health or the doctors’ body.
Whether BAPIO’s victory will translate into bigger gains for Indian doctors, is something only time will tell.
—EMPIRE BUREAU
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April 2007
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