Authors′ reply

Dear Editor,

I am grateful to my dear friend Thomas for his impassioned comments¹ on the subject of resident training in response to my guest editorial.²

I entirely agree with the sentiments and with the substance of most of what he says. I could not but agree that to be effective, more funding, equipment and training must be accompanied by greater accountability and change in attitude.

Thomas′s contention regarding the need for a strong monitoring body is absolutely correct. It is only a question as to which organization can really do the job well without being affected by all the considerations that he mentions.

Dr. Ravi is skeptical whether any of the existing mechanisms or bodies can bring about the desired change. The fact, however, remains that most of our medical colleges are in the government sector and central as well as state governments, will necessarily have to be participants in the process of bringing about a change.

Each one of us concerned with ophthalmic education will have to be a part of the process. We must summon the motivation and the will from within ourselves to bring about the reform, as this is a task which we can ill afford to fail in. We owe it to ourselves!!