IN 2005, Sajjad Hussain secured 91 percent in intermediate, got a good score in EAMCET (the then qualifying exam for admission in MBBS) but could not make it to the 1,000 odd seats on offer. He approached private medical colleges for a "management" quota seat and was asked to pay more than 50 lac (5 million) Indian rupees. In 2018 Nasera Begum (coming from a low income group family) secured 94.3 percent in her 12th board and secured below 20,000 rank in NEET. She was asked to pay more than 1 crore for a "management quota" seat. These two and more than 10,000 students opted to pursue their dream of MBBS in China, the world's fastest growing economy and technologically advanced country. Dr. Sajjad Hussain completed his MBBS from China, came back to India in 2011, secured a competitive free seat for PG is surgery and today is a surgeon in a leading hospital in Hyderabad. Nasera Begum is pursuing her second year at the Nanjing Medical University in China. These are just two examples of the new horizon — China for those aspiring to become doctors. There are innumerable examples of bright and talented youngsters deprived of pursuing MBBS in India who are heading to China, which is ranked as 4th best provider of medical education provider in the world in a list of 145 countries listed. Here are some of the basic features of medical Education in China. You may visualize a replica of an Indian/Pakistani/Nepali medical institution with added advantage of ultra modern curriculum delivery method, state of art laboratories, introduction of latest Western development in diagnostic techniques, a clean and healthy atmosphere etc. The course/degree is accepted by Medical Council of India, World Health Organization, Ministry of Health KSA and GCC and several other institution like ECFMG USA, FAIMER, Medical Council of Canada and many more. Students from 2004 to 2013 batch have successfully completed the course and are gainfully employed in public as well as private sector hospitals in Hyderabad, Mysore, New Delhi, Mumbai and different cities of the Middle East. The entire course is in English medium. However, every student has to learn the Chinese language, which is part of the curriculum (like a second language in India) — the reason for this is the student staying for 5 years will find life much easier. Secondly from third semester on wards they will be going for clinical studies and will interact with real patients — and they need to communicate with the patients. The course is divided into 10 semesters of six months each and one-year internship (which can be done either in home country or in China itself). Students can pursue their post graduation in China. They can also compete for a seat in PG entrance in India or write the USMLE or PLAB exams to pursue PG in Europe and the United States. The students enjoy total religious freedom and there is no restriction on hijab, Muslim prayers or any other religious activities. Separate hostels are there for girls and boys. Living conditions in hostels are excellent with two students sharing a room with air conditioners and heaters. Every hostel floor has a fully equipped kitchen (for those who would like to do self cooking). The hostel mess offers a choice of Chinese, Muslim and vegetarian food. Several supermarkets, banks and hospitals are on the campus itself. There are stringent disciplinary administrative procedures at the university. There is absolute safety and security. Aspratech Consultants based in Hyderabad with representatives in several cities and countries are pioneers in sending students to pursue medical education in China. They have been sending students for MBBS in China for the past 15 years. To date they have sent around 750 students. They have a representative in the city where the college is located for the five-year stay of the student — he speaks English, Hindi and Chinese perfectly and carries out mentoring work for the students. Right from receiving them from the airport to arranging their resident permits, vacations, assistance in medical care (if needed) and other hostel or college related issues. Normally, enrolment/admission applications for good universities are accepted from April. Admissions are based on 1.Intermediete percentage in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. 2. Early application. 3. NEET score. (Please note as per MCI, qualifying in NEET is compulsory for admissions in India or overseas University). Dr. Mohammed Haseebullah a leading educationist and social worker is the CEO of Aspratech Consultants. He is on a visit to Jeddah currently. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Dr. Haseebullah informed that India has one of the lowest ratio of qualified doctors vis a vis population. The effort started in 2003 by him and a few other consultants to provide quality alternative for pursuing medical education in China has helped many a bright and deserving students pursue their dreams. He also stated that the fees in China are highly subsidized by the Government of China. All medical universities are government universities and some of the provinces even provide scholarship for academic excellence to foreign students.
