Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Medicine vs. engineering

The report suggesting that the craze for admission to medical colleges is perhaps on the wane in Tamil Nadu makes interesting reading. The decision of students to opt for engineering is sensible. Doctors who have three to four years of experience are offered Rs.6000 to Rs.10,000 a month but their engineering counterparts with the same experience draw Rs.20,000 or more. Thereafter, it is an upward graph for them.

Policy makers and hospitals should rethink doctors' pay scales. There should be a decent opening salary of Rs.25,000 a month. The wide publicity given to medical tourism will become meaningless if young doctors are not recognised for what they are worth.

M. Sangeetha,
Coimbatore

* * *

Why don't we stop comparing medical and engineering courses since both of them have their merits and demerits? There is nothing new in the finding that the engineering profession is superior in terms of job opportunities because doctors have to pursue post-graduation.

It would be unfortunate if the medical profession were to lose its sheen for a few thousands. Such reports are best avoided as they only add to the dilemma of students, at a time when they are set to choose a stream of study in a few days.

P. Nakkeeran,
Neyveli, T.N.

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