In the context of a medical college or institute in India, establishing and maintaining high benchmarks regarding course quality and academic standards is of paramount importance. Whether it involves imparting cutting-edge knowledge to future healthcare professionals or gradually shaping them into competent practitioners capable of navigating the intricacies of the field, such institutions play a pivotal role. What is urgently required are institutes that can serve as pillars for excellence in patient care, research, and innovation, thereby enhancing the overall caliber of healthcare education.
Amidst this landscape, Ruxmaniben Deepchand Gardi Medical College (RDGMC) emerges as a beacon of excellence in medical education and practice. Situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, RDGMC is renowned for its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest academic standards. The college stands apart by providing a nurturing environment where students are not only encouraged to excel academically but also to imbibe the values of compassion, integrity, and professionalism that are integral to the practice of medicine. This dedication to excellence has been duly recognized, with RDGMC being honored with the prestigious title of Medical College of the Year 2023 – High Academic Standards.
RDGMC in a Nutshell
Ruxmaniben Deepchand Gardi Medical College operates under the auspices of the Ujjain Charitable Trust Hospital and Research Centre (UCTH), a non-profit charitable trust deeply committed to delivering healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. Established in 2000, RDGMC stands as the first private non-profit medical college in the state, offering undergraduate and postgraduate medical education across various specialties. Additionally, the college offers paramedical courses in nursing, physiotherapy, and more. RDGMC actively engages in research and training initiatives, collaborating with both national and international universities and institutions.
Notably, the college has partnered with the provincial government to implement programs like GIS for mapping healthcare providers. The institution houses a 30-bedded Rural Training Health Center (RHTC) in Palwa and an urban health training center in Ujjain, located near slum areas, where all healthcare services are provided free of charge to patients. These centers serve as invaluable venues for undergraduate medical training and research endeavors.
Comprehensive Medical Education
RD Gardi Medical College holds recognition from both the Government of India and the Medical Council of India to offer an array of Postgraduate Masters Courses. These include Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology, General Medicine, Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases, Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, General Surgery, Orthopedics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Radio diagnosis, and Anesthesiology. Additionally, the college offers the MBBS degree course with 150 seats available.
Moreover, RD Gardi College of Nursing, provides exceptional training to B.Sc. Nursing and GNM nursing students. Offering a four-year, full-time B.Sc. degree course with 60 seats, the college operates within an 800-bedded hospital. Recognized by the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the Nursing Council of India, the college’s comprehensive education and training program aims to cultivate self-motivated, responsible nurses equipped to tackle future challenges in healthcare at national and international levels.
Furthermore, Ujjain College of Physiotherapy and Ujjain Institute of Paramedical Sciences, situated within the RD Gardi Medical College Campus, offer Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) with specializations in Orthopedics and Sports Physiotherapy, as well as diploma and certificate courses in various technician roles, including pathology, radiography, anesthesia, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, and operation theatre.
Setting the Standard
RDGMC’s building stands as a comprehensive hub, housing all pre-clinical and para-clinical departments alongside an administrative wing. Each department is equipped with faculty office chambers, demonstration rooms, various laboratories, and museums, all designed in accordance with MCI norms. The college boasts lecture theaters, an examination hall, and an auditorium to facilitate academic activities.
Moreover, students receive hands-on training at the renowned Ujjain Charitable Trust Hospital & Research Centre, a 400-bed multi-specialty hospital managed by the trust since 1992. This hospital, serving patients from a radius of 200 km around Ujjain city, is equipped with cutting-edge facilities, including world-class CT scanners, lamellar airflow-equipped operation theaters, and specialized services such as haemodialysis, EEG, and neurosurgery. RDGMC’s campus is also home to a 720-bedded hospital, recognized as a center of excellence in various medical specialties, offering almost free services to patients. This state-of-the-art facility features advanced operation theaters, intensive care units, and diagnostic facilities, including MRI and cath lab.
Leading Healthcare Research
RDGMC and UCTH boast extensive research expertise in the realm of health systems, with both of them having led a number of initiatives addressing important health concerns such antibiotic management, diarrhea, ARI, TB, and mother and child health. As the only COVID-19 designated hospital for the Ujjain Division, the college worked closely with the government to play a crucial role throughout the pandemic. In addition to therapeutic treatment, RDGMC offered confirmatory testing and thorough COVID-19 community and hospital screening. Interestingly, RDGMC was the only institution in the state to bid on the government contract for COVID-19 screening RT-PCR testing, and they did so three times at the lowest rates possible—all the while putting community service before profit.
“Under the patronage of Prof. Vinod Diwan, a Scientist at Karolinska Institute, Sweden, a center which aims at boosting medical research, we at RDGMC established the International Centre for Health Research”, shared Dr. H.M. Mangal, the Dean of the medical college. “PhD and MPH students from Karolinska Institute, Sweden, and universities in Norway visit Ujjain for research and training, while RDGMC students pursue PhD and MPH courses at various European centers”, continued Dr. Mangal.
Through the conversation with the Dean we learnt about how RDGMC collaborates with numerous national and international research institutions, facilitating the professional development of current students and faculty members. Notably, the Dean also shared how RDGMC has sponsored international PhD programs for faculty members at the University of Bergen, Norway, in collaboration with Prof. Lisbet Sviland (Prof. Manju Purohit), and at Karolinska Institute, Sweden, in collaboration with Prof. Cecilia Lundborg, PhD.
