JAY JOSHI
Recently, the Lok Sabha passed National Medical Commission Bill which repapces the Medical Council of India with a Commission that will regulate medical studies and medical practice in India. Notably, the Medical Council of India was dissolved in 2010 following corruption charges filed by CBI against then MCI president Ketan Desai.
The new BIll is being called the greatest reform to medical studies by the government, but it has drawn opposition from several quarters. One of the points cited by the opposition is that whereas members of the Council were elected, the new Commission will have nominated members. In defence, the committee appointed under NITI Aayog to review the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956 has noted that when the regulated themselves elect the regulators, there might be a conflict of interest, preventing the entry of skilled professionals in the job.
Originally presented in the Parliament in 2017, the NMC bill seeks to establish an umbrella regulatory body with other bodies under it. It was passed in the Lok Sabha with a 260-48 voice vote, and will also regulate fees in 50 percent seats in all private medical colleges and deemed universities along with full regulation of government colleges. The bill also proposes a common final years MBBS exams called National Exit Test (NEXT), which will also serve as a screening test for foreign medical graduates. Both entrance and exit exams for medical studies will be controlled by the NMC.
The Bill has found considerable opposition from the Indian Medical Association on many fronts. Firstly, it is being stated that regulating fees of 50 percent seats of private colleges will adversely affect economically backward students. The Association is also opposing the merging of NEET and NEXT exams. TG Life spoke to Dr Anil Mehndiratta, the president of Goa Branch of Indian Medical Association to know more about the issue. Along with other issues, Dr mehndiratta cited a particular section from the NMC bill that he stated could cause serious problems.
“Section 32 of the NMC Bill provides for licensing of 3. 5 lakhs unqualified non medical persons to practise modern medicine.The term Community Health Provider has been vaguely defined to allow anyone connected with modern medicine to get registered in NMC and be licensed to practise modern medicine,” the Goa IMA president stated. “This would mean that all paramedics including pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, optometrists and others are becoming eligible to practise modern medicine and prescribe independently,” he added, stating that such circumstances cannot be accepted.
“This provision and the earlier objected provisions can never be accepted by the medical fraternity of the country. Further on, the numerous other inconsistencies in the Bill will seriously affect the Health of the nation,” stated Dr Mehndiratta.
The Indian Medical Association has rejected the bill in totality with doctors coming out to protest against it. However, with the passing of the bill in Lok Sabha, it has now come closer to becoming a law. What response it prompts from the medical community next, remains to be seen.
