Kochi: Wheel-chair bound Albin Joseph's dream of pursuing MBBS course appears to have hit a road block after the Kerala High Court ruled against admitting him at the Kottayam Medical College.
On Friday, the High Court ruled that Albin, who has split-spine, is not eligible to pursue the MBBS course. The order was based on a report from the court-constituted medical board. The board, after examining Albin, concluded that he has 80 per cent physical disability and it cannot be decreased with technological assistance. It further noted that he cannot complete the course even if he is offered a seat.
Split-spine is a genetic condition that leaves a person's lower body paralysed with diminished control over bladder and bowel.
The setback, however, has not dampened Albin's spirit. The 18-year-old, who got 1294th rank in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test in the physically challenged category, is now planning to move Supreme Court with a plea to reverse the lower court's order.
“I am not ready to give up,” Albin wrote on his Facebook, apparently referring to his decision to continue the legal battle. “I have been nurturing this dream since I was 10.”
Onmanorama first reported Albin's struggles to accomplish his academic dreams in June.
Born to Shaji and Jisha in Marady village in Kerala's Ernakulam district, Albin's handicap was detected when he was four months old. Despite the physical condition, the boy consistently performed well in his studies - he scored more than 90 per cent marks in Class 10 and 85 per cent marks in Class 12 – and scored high rank in NEET.
But destiny had other plans for him.
After the NEET results were out, Albin had to appear before a special medical examination board to prove his physical eligibility. The board, comprising an ophthalmologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, ENT specialist, orthopaedist, general physician and a physical medicine and rehabilitation expert, made Albin perform a few activities.
The board then fixed his disability at 85 per cent, much to Albin's chagrin. The Medical Council of India (MCI) allows only students up to 80 per cent disability to join MBBS. Albin had no choice but to challenge the board's decision in the High Court.
However, he did not know that it would be the beginning of a long legal fight.
The court asked Kottayam Medical College officials to reserve a seat for Albin. But it clarified that he would get admission only if he cleared another medical test by a panel of doctors. The panel, however, left Albin high and dry.
Hopeful of a favourable verdict
Albin appears to have irked by the report given by the doctors rather than the court order. “Practising doctors have denied the opportunity of an MBBS aspirant,” he wrote on Facebook on Friday. “The mistake is mine. I shouldn't have dreamed of conquering heights despite my physical disability.”
Adv Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who is providing legal assistance to Albin free of cost, termed the judgement as 'unfortunate'. “We hope the Supreme Court will deliver a favourable verdict. The apex court has always maintained a compassionate stance towards physically challenged students,” he said.
Though his chances hinge on Supreme Court verdict, Albin says he will not pursue any other professional course than MBBS. “It is my destiny. I shall become a doctor,” he said.
“I hope the Supreme Court will help me realise my dream,” he said.
