In a significant development, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted recognition to the Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology (PGDCC), thereby validating the degrees of approximately 1,700 physicians who completed the course between 2006 and 2013. This program, conducted by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), was effectively discontinued after 2013 due to a lack of recognition by the former Medical Council of India.
The announcement, made by the Indian Association of Clinical Cardiologists, addresses a crucial issue in India, where cardiovascular diseases account for nearly 28% of deaths. The decision is also viewed as a necessary response to the shortage of cardiology specialists in underserved areas.
Despite nearly 65-70% of India’s population residing outside urban centers, over 80% of cardiologists practice in cities. This disparity leaves many regions reliant on general practitioners and prone to delayed medical referrals. According to estimates, India has fewer than 5,000-6,000 cardiologists serving a population of over 1.4 billion, reflecting a ratio of approximately one cardiologist for every 200,000 to 300,000 people—significantly below global standards.
Dr. Rakesh Gupta from the Indian Academy of Echocardiography emphasized the severity of this issue, stating, “India is facing a widening and underreported shortage of cardiology specialists.”
