If you are an Indian National or a Non Resident Indian (NRI) and your passport clearly states that your Nationality is Indian,then, we do not have to take the permission of the Medical Council for you. This means: You need to send only ONE bank draft for Rs. 1000 for the BMC and need NOT send the other one for the Medical Council of India. Also, the time for processing your application and had hence the lead-time required for your application can be reduced to just 6 weeks providing that vacancies for electives exist during the period desired by you. The fees, however, remains unchanged.

(Please also see the FAQ section)For transport to and from the campus read this.Plan to be at the college on a week-day (Monday through Friday) at around 11.00 am. You first have to meet with the clerks in charge of your affairs in the Students’ section on the ground floor of the college building see map.

Ms. Beena Desai is the clerk who looks after your affairs and will guide you on how you should go about beginning your elective. They will help you with the paper work for filling the fees totaling around Rs. 12,000 (remember to get the cash along with you) As a rule you, will be asked to meet the concerned Head of Department before you start attending ward and out patient work.

Prof. Lopa Mehta , former Professor of Anatomy will be your Preceptor and you can feel free to meet her with any personal or professional problems. Her office is on the ground floor of the college building (on the opposite wing the Student’s section) A typical day’s (Monday through Saturday) schedule will start at 8.00 am with a lecture followed by ward rounds from 9.00 am – noon. There are more lectures in the afternoon. On most days you should be free by 5.00 pm. Out patient clinics may either be in the morning hours or afternoon – once or twice a week or more often – depending upon specific specialties. On these days (called emergency days) you are generally expected to be available overnight in the wards to learn about emergency management.

Several canteens and mess facilities are available in the campus and few restaurants near by should generally take care of most of your needs.

KEM hospital is a very busy place with crowds of patients and relatives all over and this may be a little disconcerting in the beginning ; but most people adapt to these conditions rapidly.

At the end of your elective you will be asked to fill up a feed-back form to help to improve the facilities and training we impart to students.

1. Who can apply?
Any medical student from any country can apply. They should have started the clinical terms of their medical course by the time of the proposed elective..

2. I am an Indian National/Non resident Indian doing my medical studies in another country. Does it make it any easier for me to do the elective?
Yes it does.If you are an Indian National or a Non Resident Indian (NRI) and your passport clearly states that your Nationality is Indian,then, we do not have to take the permission of the Medical Council for you. This means: You need to send only ONE bank draft for Rs. 1000 for the BMC and need NOT send the other one for the Medical Council of India. Also, the time for processing your application and had hence the lead-time required for your application can be reduced to just 6 weeks providing that vacancies for electives exist during the period desired by you.

3. When should I apply?
You should apply at least 5 months in advance of your anticipated date of commencement of the elective.

4. How long can the elective period be?
Minimum – 3 weeks; maximum – 12 weeks (for exceptions, please see the next point).In addition, if during an elective period, of say, 3 weeks, you choose to rotate through more than one specialty, this is also generally possible subject to availability of vacancies.

5. Is it possible to spend a period of 4 months, which is required in Germany and do you have something like practical year (last year of medical studies) for your students?
We will consider requests for an elective of period of 4 months on a case to case basis. As a rule only three months is permitted. Please note that after 3 months, an additional sum of fees as for 3 months will have to be paid.

Yes. We have a year of practical training (called internship) as the last year of medical training.

6.Which time of the year are electives offered?
All through the year – except May which is the summer vacation for the medical school here

7. Which time of the year is the best?
November to February is the recommended period – as the weather is pleasant – (12 – 23 degrees C) From July to September we have heavy rains. Commuting may be difficult for a few days during this period due to floods. However, this is also the time when most infectious diseases like malaria, gastroenteritis, typhoid, leptospirosis etc occur. March to June is hot (38 – 42 degrees C).

8. How many students do you accept? Is there any vacancy now?
There is no real limit on the number of students we can take. We have a large teaching program and vacancies invariably exist. However, you are advised to indicate your period for the elective after due thought as it may be impossible for us to change the dates of the electives once decided upon.

9. Does the fee depend on the period?
For any period up to 12 weeks, the fees are Rs*. 12,000. Beyond 12 weeks, up to 24 weeks an additional approximately, Rs. 12,000 has to be paid.

10. Should I bring a cheque for the tuition fee or cash, rupees or US $?

You can pay only in Indian rupees. This has to be in the form of cash or demand drafts (not personal cheques). These drafts can be made in Bombay after your arrival. The drafts have to be in favour of “BMC”

11. Where are the letters to the Medical Council of India and the Government of India to be sent?
Send everything in a single envelope to us and we will handle the rest.

12. What shall we write for question 7: Applicant’s likely address in India during stay?
If you know the address – write it here. If you do not, say “not yet finalised”.

13. Is it a problem that at present I don’t have a likely address in India?
No. Simply state that the address in India is not decided.

14. What is meant by question 16 in Proforma A: “Have you taken the minimum time to reach the stage of the course, if not, explain”?
This is simply to see if you have failed and have had to repeat any terms. If not simply say “I have taken the minimum time”.

15. I have passed almost all my medical examinations. By the time I plan to come to India, I will certainly have done so. Is it necessary to specify all those examinations or does “all exams” suffice? (question 11 in Proforma A)?
Mention the various medical examinations that you have passed such as first year exam, second year exam or similar exams

16. What does the “letter of recommendation from the Dean mean”?
This can be a form letter addressed either to Dean GS Medical College ” or “To whomsoever it may Concern” stating that applicant is a bonafide student of that college and is of good standing andhas the permission from his institution to undertake the elective”.

17. Will it be possible for me to be specifically attached to particular departments during my elective?
Yes. In your application material or covering letter, mention the specialties you would be interested in.

18. How does the allocation of elective posts work? How would I be informed about it?
In your application material, or covering letter, mention the specialties in which you would be interested. Almost always, you will be allowed to do the elective in the subject of your choice. We will inform you specifically only if this is NOT possible.

19. In training for foreign medical students, is it possible for me to apply for several specialists in 3 weeks? For example, general surgery for 1 week, internal medicine for 1 week, infectious disease for 1 week?
Yes. This is possible if you indicate it in your application material.

20. Is there any outreach clinic in rural area? And, can elective students be allowed to join such kind of clinic?
Yes. We have an outreach clinic. You have to ask for this specifically and this is assigned by our Preventive and Social Medicine department. The outreach clinic is about 25 KM away from the college and the students are transported back and forth each day by the institution.

21. Are 6 photocopies of my Belgian identity-card sufficient?
In Belgium, all citizens have identity- cards and passports are needed only when travelling in foreign countries.
No, we need photocopies of your passports.

22. What are bank drafts?
These are called demand drafts in India. There are the same as “Pay orders” or “Bankers’ Cheques”.

23. In what currency should the bank drafts be?
Indian rupees; not US$ or such. Some students from Germany have particular problem with this. You may have to approach different banks for this. Please note that this payment can only be in the form of a demand draft and in Indian rupees only. Those who have problems with this, can ask their friends or relatives in Bombay (if they have any) to make demand drafts in India and send it to the college with clear mention of what the drafts are being sent for.
Students from France and Germany can contact the following banks in their countries.

France
State Bank Of India
Paris Branch
State Bank of India
12-14 Rond-Point Des Champs Elysees
75008 Paris
France
Tel:53772300
Telex: SBIPR 643063 F
Fax: 45-63-39-70
SWIFT: SBIN FR PP
ISD CODE: 00-33-1
Cable: THISTLE
Email: sbifrance@aol.com, ceosbiparis@aol.com

Bank Of India
3, rue Scribe F-75009
Paris France
Tel: 00 33 1 42 66 50 04
Fax: 00 33 1 42 66 50 06
Website: http://www.bankofindia.fr/

Germany
State Bank Of India
Frankfurt Branch
Mainzer Landstrasse 61
60329 FRANKFURT am Main
Phones:
(069) 27237-139 Accounts
(069) 27237-133 Remittances
(069) 27237-157 LCs
(069) 27237-117 Guarantees
Fax:
(069) 27237-172 Accounts
(069) 27237-148 Remittances
(069) 27237-138 LCs
ISD Code: 0049
SWIFT SBINDEFF
Website: www.statebank-frankfurt.com
Email: bmc@statebank-frankfurt.com

24. What bank drafts do we have to provide?
You have to provide two drafts. One for the Medical Council of India for Rs. 5000/- and the other in favour of the BMC for Rs. 1000/-

25. We are two of us coming together during the same period. Can we send common bank drafts?
Yes. If two or more of you are coming at the same time, you can send common bank drafts. But the drafts for the BMC and the Medical Council of India should be separate.

26. Is it possible to have a family member/friend within India mail these drafts to you separate from the my application that I will mail from here?
Yes. This can be done. However, the drafts should be accompanied by a letter clearly stating on whose behalf these drafts are being sent.

27. We were under the impression that the processing fee for the Medical Council of India was Rs. 500. We now see that this has been changed to Rs. 5000. Why has this been done?

Effective June 1, 2007, the Medical Council of India has increased its processing fee for giving permissions for electives from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5000. As we have no control over this, we have changed the processing fee accordingly. Please note that the processing fee for the BMC remains unchanged at Rs. 1000.

28. How will we know if we have been accepted or if you have even received our application?
About 2 – 3 weeks after you mail your application material, if you do not receive any communication from us, please check with student@kem.edu regarding your application material. As a rule, we seldom reject students who fulfill our requirements. It takes up to 4 – 5 months to receive all clearances from agencies in India. Please check with us about 3 months after you send in your application regarding the status of your application.

29. Is the fee to be attached with the application form?
No, only the demand drafts. The fees are to be paid once you arrive in the college. They can be paid by cash or demand drafts (these can be made from local banks here in Bombay).

30. How is the matter of Visa handled? Is that arranged through my application, or do I have to apply for one through the Indian embassy here?
You have to arrange for visa in your country before you leave for India . You can come in for an elective ONLY on \a student’s visa. If you come any other visa, we will not be able to take you for an elective.

31. Details of whom to contact on arrival.?
You should contact UG & PG Section extension 7434) in the students section of the college office on the ground floor of the college building.

32. Can we start the elective even before you receive approvals from the government authorities?
No. You can start your electives only after we receive permission from the Medical Council of India. Please confirm after about 12 weeks of sending your application.

33. What is the language of communication?
English is the language of teaching and communication amongst consultants, residents, medical students and nursing staff. Only a few patients speak English. Hence, for communicating with patients, knowledge of Marathi, Hindi and other Indian languages will help. Fellow students or paramedical personnel help in interpreting.

34. Are there any local students? Will there be other elective students?
Yes. Local students are invariably posted except during vacation times. So too, there may be other elective students.

35. Is there a dress code?
None in particular except that white coats- full or half sleeves- are compulsory when entering the hospital area.

36. Should we prepare our vaccination record before our elective study, and whom should we give them to?
The hospital has no special vaccination requirements. You can be guided by the Visa requirements for this.

37. Can you make arrangements for me to stay?
Limited accommodation is available for male students in the hostel on the campus. Please write to the hostel warden Dr. Mahesh Belhekar (boyshostel@kem.edu) for men and Dr. Anita Chalak (dranitachalak@gmail.com ) for ladies regarding this. More details about the boys hostel are available here

38. We are willing to stay in hostels or hotels, but worry about availability in a city as large as Mumbai. Would you be able to provide any assistance in this matter?
Many hotel rooms are available in Mumbai for all budget needs.; you can look for them on your arrival here. Unfortunately, we cannot help you with hotel room booking.

39. What arrangements are possible for meals?
The hospital has three canteens / cafeterias which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Numerous restaurants are located within a 5 minutes’ walking distance from the hospital, which serve all kinds of Indian and Chinese dishes, and fast food. As a matter of fact, there will be restaurants with 2-5 minutes’ walking distance at any location in Mumbai. The cost of a sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner will be US $ 2 – 4.

40. Other than the fee for the elective course itself, is there any other payment necessary for our elective study?
No.

41. I will be arriving at Bombay airport. Will there be a shuttle service picking me up from the airport, and if yes how much will it cost?

There are no shuttle services. Please hire a prepaid taxi at the airport. The fare to the hospital will be around Rs. 300 (non A/C).

42. How much will transport or commuting cost?
Travelling by bus will cost from Rs.4 to Rs.10 one way (US$1 = Rs 46 approximately). Trains too will charge Rs.4 – Rs.25. Cabs charge approximately Rs.7 per kilometer with a minimum fare of Rs.13. It may be worth remembering that a resident doctor pays for his living expenses (excluding accommodation), books, travel, entertainment, and all other expenses with a monthly salary of approximately US$ 125 – 200.
Bombay’s traffic can be chaotic and students are warned to be cautious while crossing roads as motorists usually do not respect pedestrians’ right of way.

43. Is there anything else we need that may not be listed on your website?
No. We need no further documentation. The details on the website are up to date.

44. I was wondering about the hours and schedule of the clinical elective, Which days of the week will I be working, what hours, and is call required?
Pl. see http://www.kem.edu/college/course_descript.htm for details.

45. Is post exposure prophylaxis available for HIV.?
Yes. It is available on the campus.

46. What about immunisations?
Make sure that all the major vaccinations like MMR, DTP, Polio, etc are up to date and also that Malaria chemoprophylaxis is taken. Rabies and Japanese encephalitis shots are not necessary. While in Bombay, you are advised not to eat uncooked food and preferably stick to bottled water.

47. Is your medical school a University Medical Center?
Yes. We are affiliated to the Maharashtra University of Medical Sciences ( Maharashtra is the sate in which the city of Mumbai (Bombay) is located)

48. There is some delay in getting the bank drafts, shall I send the application first and the bank drafts later.?
No. There is nothing we can do with the application without the bank drafts. So please send all material together.

49. What type of electrical outlets India has and; what do I need to use my appliances there?
We have 220V AC. The plugs have round connections.

50. Would I be assigned an advisor?
Dr. Lopa Mehta from the Department of Anatomy will be your preceptor

51. What is the telephone number of the college and hospital?
91 22 2410 7000 is the telephone number for the college and the hospital.

52. In case of an emergency, is there an evacuation plan for foreigners?
There has been no need for this in the last 60 years! But the government will have contingency plans.

53. If I got sick while on elective, would I be able to access health care?
Yes.

54. Is there internet access at the university and hospital and is it available 24 hours a day?
All departments have internet access – so does the library. There are many cyber cafes around the campus.

55. Can we fax the application forms to KEM now so that the respective supervisors can sign them and return it to us via mail or fax?

The certificate of competition will be issued only after the elective is over and all forms will be signed only after you complete the elective.

56. Can you tell me if I have to pay the whole fee (Rs. 24,000 for 16 weeks) when I arrive, or do I have to pay Rs. 12,000 when I arrive and again Rs. 12,000 when 12 weeks have passed?
You pay all in one go

57. Is the K.E.M. Hospital connected to Bombay University?
Bombay is situated in the state of Maharashtra. A few years back, a seperate medical university called the Maharshtra University of Medical Sciences (MUHS) was created by the government and all medical courses of the University of Bombay were transferred to this university. Thus, our college affiliation was also transferred from the University of Mumbai (Bombay) to MUHS. The University of Mumbai no longer runs any medical courses.

58. Are universal precautions observed in KEM hospital and Seth GS medical School?
Yes.

*Rs. 1 US $ = Rs. 46 appox.

The students’ elective training consists of the following activities:

Each student will be posted in a unit (under a consultant) and will participate in the clinical and academic activities of the unit. Some students from the Seth G S Medical College too may be posted in the same unit.

Out patient clinics:
These are typically once or twice a week, for 4 hours. Emphasis will be on observation of cases with common problems, with special emphasis on conditions peculiar to the tropics / India.

Wards:
Clinical rounds will be done by the head of the unit once or twice a week. These tend to be detailed, and last approximately 2 hours. Apart from deciding about the management of the patients admitted in the unit, there is substantial bedside teaching and demonstration of signs to students. Other unit staff (associate professor or lecturer) will do rounds on other days.

Bedside clinics:
Case presentation by individual students with special emphasis on history and physical examination is a strong point of teaching at GSMC. A student presents a case and the teacher will discuss the history, demonstrate signs, discuss diagnosis, investigations and treatment. This is a small-group interactive session.

Emergencies:
Each unit gets emergency admissions on specific designated days over a 24 hour period. These are handled by residents under the supervision of the lecturer on duty. These include referrals from the emergency services (Casualty) as well as emergency admissions. In surgical specialties, the emergency units also perform any emergency surgery needed for these newly admitted patients. Students (of GSMC and elective students) are encouraged to attend emergencies for as long as is feasible.

Seminars:
All departments have seminars presented by MBBS and postgraduate students on topics which are timely and important. Elective students are usually requested to make a presentation to the unit / department staff and students on (a) a disease which they have seen commonly in the country where they are doing their medical studies, but is uncommon in India, and (b) a disease which they have seen to be common in India, but is rare in the country where they are doing their medical studies

Didactic lectures:
Most days, in the afternoon, 2-3 hours of didactic lectures are held. Students are expected to attend these.

History and physical examination:
GSMC students will act as interpreters for elective students for obtaining history. Most Indian patients will readily permit physical examination. Documentation of cases seen is optional, and can be done if your medical school / college requires this.

After you return from your elective, your medical school usually requires you to submit a detailed report of your elective posting at GSMC. You will be required to submit a copy of this report to us (by regular post or by email).