SIMATS Diabetic Foot Surgery Fellowship FAQs
Ques. Is there any entrance exam required for the Fellowship in Diabetic Foot Surgery at SIMATS?
Ans. No, there is no national-level entrance exam (such as NEET-PG or FET) required for this fellowship. Admission is based on the candidate's postgraduate surgical qualification (MS General Surgery / MS or DNB Orthopaedics) and performance in a personal interview conducted by SIMATS. Candidates apply directly through the official admissions portal.
Ques. What is the stipend offered during the fellowship, and who provides it?
Ans. Fellows enrolled in the Fellowship in Diabetic Foot Surgery at SIMATS receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 50,000. This stipend is provided by RK Institute (associated with the program), not directly by SIMATS. This effectively reduces the net cost of the fellowship significantly over the 1-year duration.
Ques. How many seats are available, and how competitive is the selection?
Ans. Only 2 seats are available per batch for this fellowship. Given the limited intake, competition can be significant. Selection is based on postgraduate qualifications and a personal interview. Candidates with MS in General Surgery or Orthopaedics and relevant clinical experience in diabetic foot management are preferred.
Ques. What kind of clinical exposure will I get during this fellowship at SMCH?
Ans. Saveetha Medical College and Hospital is a 1,200+ bed tertiary care teaching hospital with a high volume of diabetic foot cases given its location in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, a region with a high prevalence of diabetes. Fellows can expect exposure to wound debridement, vascular assessment, reconstructive flap surgeries, minor and major amputations, and multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinics involving endocrinologists, vascular surgeons, and orthopaedic surgeons.
Ques. What are the career prospects after completing this fellowship?
Ans. After completing the Fellowship in Diabetic Foot Surgery, surgeons can work as diabetic foot specialists or limb salvage surgeons in tertiary care hospitals, diabetes specialty centers, and vascular surgery departments. With India's growing diabetic population (estimated 101 million diabetics as of 2023), the demand for trained diabetic foot surgeons is rising. Fellows can also pursue academic positions, set up specialized diabetic foot clinics, or pursue further international fellowships in wound care and limb preservation.
Ques. Can I apply for this fellowship immediately after completing my MS, or do I need additional experience?
Ans. Candidates can apply immediately after completing their MS in General Surgery or Orthopaedics (or DNB equivalent) and obtaining NMC/State Medical Council registration. There is no mandatory post-MS work experience requirement specified by SIMATS for this fellowship. However, having some clinical exposure to diabetic foot cases during your postgraduate training would strengthen your application and interview performance.
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