MEA seeks time for decision on Ukraine returned medical students

Supreme Court scheduled the hearing of the plea related to Ukraine's returned medical students on September 15 as the Ministry of External Affairs sought time to consult the health ministry.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sought some time on the issue of continuation of medical education of Ukraine returned medical students as the ministry needs time to consult with the health ministry which is the nodal ministry in the issue.

During yesterday's hearing on the matter Solicitor general, Tushar Mehta informed the bench comprising Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia that MEA appeared positive with regard to this aspect, but the issue would take more time before it is resolved, as reported by India Today. 

The court accepted the request and provided time to the government and the hearing was listed for September 15, 2022.

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The batch of petitions was filed by Ukraine returned medical students who want to continue their medical education in India. The petitioners submitted that several countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan and Egypt, taking into account the situation, have issued statements that adequate arrangements were in the pipeline to accommodate the evacuees from Ukraine.

The petition stated that the Supreme Court in its order in the case of Farzana Batool Vs. the Union Of India has observed that the state has an obligation to facilitate access to education at all levels. 

The petitioners had relied on a report by the Lok Sabha Committee on External Affairs. In that report, the committee recommended the Health Ministry consider accommodating these students in private medical colleges in India as a one-time measure.

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