The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 HISTORY OF WESTERN MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESERVATION IN TAMILNADU R.PRAKASH , M.A. MPHIL., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PG AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY SRI VASAVI COLLEGE, ERODE. TAMIL NADU, INDIA MOBILE: 9445108327 EMAIL: [email protected] ABSTRACT, Education is closely related with a nation’s development and health index is an important parameter in developing a nation. Health is not a luxury but fundamental need for a common man. This paper provides an insight into introduction and growth of Allopathic medical education in the Madras state by British and contribution of Dravidian parties to the growth of medical education in Tamil Nadu. This study also helps to know how the shifting of political scenarios and reservation policy of granting 69% to the backward communities has proved fruitful. Key Words ;Public health department-Social inequality-constitutional crisis- communal.G.O.-backward-Most Backward-Dravidar Munnetra kalagam-NEET-NEXT. The introduction of modern medicine in India was during advent of British. The first British hospital was established in 1639 A.D to treat sick solders of English East India Company. The first modern hospital in India was traced back to 1644 A.D at house of Mr. Cogan in Madras was rented for two pagodas per month (about Rs.5 today). This small rented house in 1664 private non-aided medical institutions all hospitals, dispensaries and clinics solely managed by private persons turned out to be a 105 year general hospital. After next 25 years, governer Elihu Yale gave the hospital premises in Fort St. George in 1690. Thus in 1820, the Madras hospital was recognized as model hospital of East India Company.The hospital was initially located at Fort St. George and was then moved in to current location in 1772. Now attached to Madras Medical College, Madras Medical Volume XII, Issue X, October/2020 Page No:1274 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 College was inaugurated on 3rd February 1835, next to the Calcutta Medical College, as it was started on January 28, 1835. The Egmore eye hospital which is attached to Madras Medical College which was started in 1819 is the second eye hospital in the world after the eye hospital in London in 1818, a dental hospital run by Royal Army Dental Assistant in 1883. The Dental wing in Madras Medical College came into substance on August 19, 1953 and 15 candidates were selected for the first batch. The Director of medical Services (DMS) during 1960 Medical services department was bifurcated and department of medical education was formed in the year 1966. Similarly in 1976, Department of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy was established. The directorate of public health and preventive medicine was formed during 1923. Its main aim waste provide maternal and child health care to rural and urban population and prevention and control of communicable diseases. Lieutenant Colonel ATH Russel was the first director of public health and preventive medicine in Pre-independence era. Public Health Act 1939 in the legal act enacted before independence.1 In 1965 primary health services were separated from medical service department and brought under public health department. The public health department and preventive medicine department is functioning with 42 health unit districts. Each unit functions under deputy director of health services. In 1981 a separate drug control departments was started. In 1994 Tamilnadu medical services corporation was started to streamline drugs and equipment supply, has become a model in the country. Similarly in 1994 a separate cell or AIDS / HIV prevention was started. In 2005, state health society was established. In 2011 a separate food safety department has been established to implement food safety and high standards.2 1 Fort st.George Gazetteer,PartII,dated 1st August 1883,p.1104. 2 Policy Note,2011-2012 ,health and family welfare department,govt.of.tamilnadu.pp21-22. Volume XII, Issue X, October/2020 Page No:1275 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 Tamilnadu was formed during 1st November 1956 due to state reorganization. Formerly known as Madras state. It is considered to be one among the most literate state. Tamilnadu has 37 universities, 552 engineering colleges, 449 polytechnic colleges, 556 arts and science colleges, 35 medical colleges, ), Stanley Medical College (1936), Madras Medical College (1835), Govt. Kilpauk Medical College (1960), Chengalpattu Medical College (1965), Coimbatore Medical College (1966), Thirunelveli Medical College (1965), Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical Collge, Salem (1988), Perundurai Medical College (1986) were the list of medical educational institutions that were established in south India at different period of time3 The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical university is the second largest medical university in India. It offers high quality medical education and encourages innovative research. Many medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy and Indian medicine and homeopathy colleges are affiliated to this university. All medical institutions and colleges were controlled by the university.4 As the political fulcrum of Tamilnadu shifted from Congress to Dravidian parties they attempted to create an impact on rural, urban health care through medical education. Thus my study is to know how the shifting of political scenarios and reservation policy of granting 69% to the backward communities had proved fruitful and improved the state of medical education in Tamilnadu. 3 Selection From hand book of the health statistics of India,D.G.H.S.,New Delhi,1985. 4 The Hindu Editorial :Undergraduate Medical Education-Where we are?, 2008, pp.11-12. Volume XII, Issue X, October/2020 Page No:1276 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 Medical Education measures of the Dravidian parties in Tamilnadu. Since 1980 the need for separate universities for promoting medical education in Tamilnadu was felt. Thus a committee consisting of Dr. A. Venugopal, Dr. M.Natarasan and Dr. Kameswaran was set up to the Government of Tamilnadu to go thought the possibilities of establishing a separate medical university and make suitable recommendations to the state government. Hence the committee recommended that a medical university to be established in Tamilnadu and it also recommended improvements to be made in traditional practice and education of Indian systems of medicine (i.e.) Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy. It also recommended to bring about co-ordination between various educational training institutions of modern medicine as well as other Indian systems of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, etc and also to promote research. The medical university was proposed to be established. An act by name the Tamil Nadu Medical university act 1987 received the assent of the president of India on 24th September 1987.5 By another act during the Chief ministership of M. Karunanidhi, act No. 39 in 1991 the Tamilnadu medical university was re-named as “The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. medical university”. This university started its functions from 1988. The student got admitted into various medical and paramedical courses after 1st March 1988. The administrative office was functioning from 12th June 1994 at Guindy in Chennai. The aim of this university is to To achieve and maintain, uniformly high standards of need-responsive medical education in Tamilnadu To create personnel for health man power, they will be endowed with a sense of dedication and spirit of enquiry. 5 The Tamilnadu Medical University Act of 1987. Volume XII, Issue X, October/2020 Page No:1277 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 It was the first time in the history of any medical university in India the International organization for standardization has conferred ISO 9001:2008 certification to the university for provision of medical services, quality medical education regulating medical colleges, and allied educational services. This university can affiliate new medical, dental and paramedical colleges which may be government or self – financing and award medical degrees. Before 1988 all degrees of Health sciences in Tamilnadu were awarded by University of Madras. During the chief ministership of M.Karunanidhi. The prestigious Tamilnadu medical university was in 1991 renamed as M.G.R. medical university named after M.G.Ramachandran and has grown to become second largest health sciences university in India situated in Guindy. A single window system of counseling was adopted for admission in Engineering and Medical Colleges, new Medical Colleges were opened in Vellore, Tuticorin and Kanniyakumari districts of Tamilnadu the common entrance examinations for admission into medical and engineering colleges was scrapped.6 Political debacle over the reservation policy of 69% Reservation has always been a political debate in India starting with introduction of 10% reservation to Economically poor upper class people to availing the country highest 69% in Tamilnadu. An Analysis of why very often 69% of reservation in Tamilnadu is being challenged in court. What connection it has with reservation of medical education in the state. Reservation policy has changed the constitution, changed regimes, was instrumental to bring first amendment in the constitution. Periyar left the congress because of non-acceptance of communal reservation policy, V.P.Singh‟s rule came to an end due to 6 Tamil Arasu,Health Department,Four year acheievements soveinour,2010.pp64-65. Volume XII, Issue X, October/2020 Page No:1278 The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367 reservation policy, social equality became the life nerve philosophy of Dravidian politics. Reservation became a political weapon of Dravidian parties to challenge national parties and to bring about equality in Education and employment. The voice for reservation came during 1916 with formation of South Indian liberal federation later this association got transformed into Justice party.