No resolution on the common eligibility and entrance test (CEET) for aspiring medical students could be arrived at the three-day meeting in Hyderabad which the health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had with the state health departments.

A press note by the health ministry said, “The proposed scheme of common eligibility and entrance test was discussed in detail and it was unanimously decided that the matter would be discussed further to take on board the views and concerns of the states.”

The CEET proposed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) was recently held back by the health ministry as the MCI did not take approval from the central authority before notifying the new method for admission in all medical colleges, private as well as government, across the country. The health ministry asked MCI to clarify concerns of the states regarding the new admission procedure.

Non-decisiveness on the matter implies that the students appearing for medical college entrance exams will have to sit for separate exams for each medical college as the new admission procedure will not be applied from the coming academic session.

Issues related to communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, reforms in medical education and regulation were also discussed with the health leaders of all 28 states.

To ensure healthcare delivery at the grassroots the ministry has made at least one doctor and one nurse at each primary health centre (PHC) a mandatory requirement by 31st March 2012. To bring down maternal and child mortality, it was decided to set up blood banks at all district hospitals and blood storage facilities at sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres by December 2012 besides improving infrastructure at all healthcare facilities. For this, 70 percent of funds for infrastructure will be spent on sub-health centres and PHCs.

Mental illness, the illnesses of the elderly and diseases caused by the use of tobacco will be recognised as non-communicable diseases and over 450 districts which are yet uncovered in the district mental health programme will be incorporated in it in the 12th five year plan.

The ministry also plans to start a national programme for eradication of Thalassemia. The press note by the ministry adds that training for practicing pharmacists will be announced soon for strengthening pharmacy institutions in the country.