new delhi with an aim to address the shortage of specialists in district hospitals and in rural india the health ministry has allowed two year postgraduate pg diploma courses that applicants can pursue after completing their mbbsthis will enable national board of examination to start eight postgraduate speciality diploma courses in obstetrics and gynaecology anaesthesiology paediatrics tuberculosis and chest disease family medicine ophthalmology radio diagnosis and ent the health ministry issued the order after consultation with the board of governors in suppression of the medical council of indiacandidates can pursue these courses by clearing the neetpg exam after completing mbbs hospitals with a minimum of 100 operational beds are eligible to seek accreditation with nbe for the diploma courses toi had reported about this proposal being considered by the government in marchthe move assumes significance in view of the pandemic which has restricted movement because of fear of infection the dearth of specialist doctors in rural and remote areas have become more challenging for the healthcare system the medical council of india had in 2019 converted its diploma courses into degree courses to overcome the shortfall of teaching faculty