The Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) has taken strong action in response to the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) recent refusal of recognition for MBBS degree courses. In a proactive effort, the Vice-Chancellor has requested a meeting with the principals of three private medical colleges impacted by the NMC’s decision. This conference, set for Tuesday, intends to deliberate and examine options for restoring these colleges’ recognition and ensuring that MBBS admissions for this year are unaffected.

Intervention of the Governor

The Governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammed Khan, who also serves as Chancellor of the University, inspired this conference. After hearing an appeal from one of the private medical colleges that had lost recognition, the Governor directed the Vice-Chancellor to take action. Recognising the necessity of correcting the inadequacies and appealing the NMC’s decision, the Vice-Chancellor has accepted the Governor’s direction and is attempting to lead the affected colleges through the process of regaining recognition.

Maintaining Medical Education Standards in Medical Colleges of Kerala

The NMC’s decision to withhold certification to three private medical colleges of Kerala was based on a thorough review that revealed various flaws. These inadequacies included a paucity of associate and assistant professors, an insufficient number of tutors and demonstrators, and a lack of senior residents. In addition, flaws such as the adoption of an Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system (AEBAS), subpar ways of conducting annual checkups, and non-functioning cameras in the hospital area were identified.

Investigating Restoration Routes  in Medical Colleges of Kerala

The Vice-Chancellor’s meeting will debate and examine possibilities for appealing the NMC’s decision and regaining recognition for the impacted colleges. Each college will be able to address the specific inadequacies identified by the NMC and propose corrective steps to address them. The Vice-Chancellor hopes to help the colleges towards a successful appeal procedure that assures compliance with the NMC’s standards by participating in constructive discourse.

University Assistance and Direct Communication

Aside from the conference, the University will actively support the impacted colleges by interacting directly with the Apex medical commission. On behalf of the colleges, the University will issue a formal letter pressing the NMC to expedite the hearing process. This proactive measure aims to emphasize the importance of the situation and ensure that the restoration of recognition is completed as soon as possible. By immediately interacting with the NMC, the University hopes to protect students’ interests and avoid any negative influence on this year’s MBBS admissions.

Impact on Medical School Seats

The NMC’s refusal to recognise three private medical institutions in Kerala could result in the loss of around 450 MBBS seats in the state. Among the affected institutions are Thrissur’s Jubilee Mission Medical College & Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram’s Dr. Somervell Memorial CSI Hospital & Medical College, and Thiruvananthapuram’s Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation. Because of the loss of recognition, Jubilee Mission Medical College has lost 100 medical seats, while each of the other two medical colleges has lost 150 seats.

Seats are being reduced even further.

Separately, the Apex medical education governing body’s UG Board has cut the number of medical seats at Sree Uthradom Thirunal Academy of Medical Sciences (SUTAMS) in Thiruvananthapuram. The institute, located in Kerala’s capital city, has lost 50 of its 100 MBBS seats due to noncompliance with the NMC’s stipulated requirements.

Providing High-Quality Medical Education

The NMC’s actions, including the denial of recognition to certain medical colleges, highlight the critical need of maintaining the highest standards of medical education. The NMC’s inspections are critical for assessing the quality of medical colleges and ensuring they provide an excellent learning environment. To maintain the intended standards, universities must swiftly correct any detected inadequacies. Colleges may file an appeal against the NMC’s decision when they have effectively remedied the identified flaws.

An Increased Regulatory Effort

The denial of recognition to medical institutions in Kerala is part of the NMC’s larger endeavor to ensure conformity with prescribed standards throughout the country. The NMC has already de-recognized roughly 40 medical colleges in the last two months due to non-compliance with the mandated norms. This focus on noncompliance has been accompanied by increased monitoring of approximately 100 other medical institutes, which may face similar penalties if they fail to fulfill the NMC’s criteria.

The Next Steps

While the loss of recognition is obviously a huge blow for the impacted medical institutions, it is crucial to remember that the decision can be challenged. Dr. Rajeev Sood, a member of the NMC, has told medical schools that de-recognition is not rare and that they can appeal the decision. The affected medical colleges in Kerala have a good foundation to navigate the appeals process and work towards recovering their recognition thanks to the Vice-Chancellor’s proactive stance and the University’s support.

The National Medical Commission’s Medical Assessment & Rating Board (MARB) has approved the building of a new medical college in Odisha, which is a significant development for medical education in the state. The DRIEMS Institute of Health Sciences and Hospital is located in Cuttack and is administered by Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. This permission gives prospective medical students optimism because the college would offer 100 MBBS seats, allowing them to pursue their goals of becoming doctors.

Approval Procedure

The MARB approved the creation of DRIEMS Institute of Health Sciences and Hospital after a thorough evaluation. The assessment report dated February 7, 2023, as well as the physical compliance verification assessments report dated May 22, 2023, were critical in the approval procedure. Furthermore, the college was required to make an undertaking recognising all of the terms and conditions outlined in the letter of intent dated May 24, 2023.

Compliance and Recognition

While the creation of the institution has been approved, it is critical that the authorities seek acknowledgement of the qualification under section 35(2) of the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act. The National Medical Commission will seek recognition at the first batch’s final assessment. It is critical to follow the guidelines established by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Throughout the academic year, this requires maintaining adequate infrastructure, including physical and human resources, teaching faculty, and clinical content.

Misconduct’s Consequences

The National Medical Commission has issued clear instructions about false assertions or forged documents used to seek MARB approval. If such misbehavior is uncovered during surprise assessments or brought to the National Medical Commission’s attention, the institution will not be considered for degree recognition. This highlights the significance of honesty and compliance with rules in the medical education sector.

Requirements that must be met

The institute must create a biometric attendance system and a website to provide information openness and accessibility. The website should provide detailed information about the college, such as the courses offered, available teachers, and their experience over the previous five years. It should also include information about the students who have enrolled at the college and the university with which it is affiliated. Furthermore, hospital services, facilities, and equipment in each speciality should be provided, as well as outpatient (OP) and inpatient (IP) census statistics, including births and deaths from municipal or government records.

The Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute’s Department of Paediatrics has received provisional accreditation from the National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to provide post-graduate training for DNB (Diplomate of National Board) in pediatrics. This accreditation enables the college to provide training for one seat in DNB-post MBBS and one seat in DNB-post diploma programmes, marking an important milestone in medical education and healthcare delivery.

What exactly is DNB Paediatrics?

The National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences offers a post-graduate medical training programme called DNB Paediatrics. It is intended to provide clinicians with specialized knowledge and abilities in pediatrics. The programme focuses on offering comprehensive training in pediatric disease diagnosis, treatment, and management.

Provisional Training Accreditation

The Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute’s Department of Paediatrics has acquired provisional accreditation from NBEMS for the DNB Paediatrics programme. This accreditation is valid for up to five years and is subject to annual evaluations to verify that the college meets the board’s basic standards.

Opportunities for Training

The college has been granted permission to train one DNB-post MBBS student and one DNB-post diploma student. This opportunity provides medical graduates and diploma holders with the opportunity to acquire specialized training in pediatrics under the supervision of competent faculty in a well-equipped hospital setting.

Curriculum and duration

The DNB Paediatrics programme at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute is three years long. During this time, trainees will receive intensive instruction in different parts of pediatrics, such as clinical rotations, case studies, research projects, and academic sessions. The programme is intended to provide a thorough understanding of pediatric medicine as well as clinical experience in the management of pediatric patients.

Review of Accreditation

The accreditation given by NBEMS will be assessed annually to ensure the preservation of quality standards. These reviews serve as a method for assessing the department’s performance and ensuring conformity with the established requirements. The college is dedicated to maintaining the highest medical education standards and will actively participate in the accreditation review process.

The Advantages of Accreditation

The accreditation of the Department of Paediatrics at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute has a number of advantages for aspiring pediatricians, medical students, and the healthcare system as a whole. Among the many advantages are:

• Accreditation assures that the training given fulfills the highest quality requirements, providing trainees with a thorough and well-rounded learning experience.
• DNB Paediatrics is a nationally recognised and regarded qualification that enhances graduates’ professional reputation and job possibilities.
• Access to Specialized Resources: Accredited programmes frequently have access to superior medical facilities, cutting-edge technologies, and research possibilities, all of which enhance the training experience.
• Accreditation entails rigorous evaluation processes that assist maintain uniformity in training and assessment, ensuring the competency of future pediatricians.
• Improved Patient Care: Well-trained pediatricians contribute to better healthcare outcomes, which leads to better care for children and their families.

The Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) has cancelled the affiliation of Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) following the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to prohibit the institute from admitting new MBBS students for the academic year 2023-2024. Dr. Nirmal Ouseppachan, Registrar of the University, acknowledged the cancellation of the affiliation, claiming that the medical college failed to meet the standards set by the premier medical education regulating authority. The NMC and a panel from BFUHS both found major shortcomings in CMCH’s faculty, patient load, and infrastructure.

CMCH has glaring deficiencies.

A five-member delegation from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences inspected Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital earlier this year and discovered serious flaws in patient load, faculty, and facilities. According to the panel’s findings, the institute, which had been approved by the NMC the previous year, lacked suitable facilities and presented a threat to the careers of its MBBS students due to a lack of patients, infrastructure, and lecturers. The Punjab Government took note of these issues and brought them to the attention of Anurag Agarwal, the State Additional Chief Secretary of Medical Education and Research.

CMCH EGrave Concerns Have Serious Deficits As stated by the Punjab Government

Anurag Agarwal wrote to the NMC Director, expressing extreme worry about the situation at Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital. He stated that, despite getting NMC permission, the college failed to follow statutory norms and guidelines. In addition to physical concerns, the Additional Chief Secretary raised the issue of the college charging students more than the authorised rates. He emphasised the importance of taking quick action against the college administration to ensure compliance with the NMC’s rules and regulations.

Revocation of Affiliation: Implications for New Admissions

According to a recent Tribune story, the BFUHS has revoked Chintpurni Medical College’s affiliation due to its failure to meet the NMC’s criteria. As a result, the college would be unable to admit new MBBS students for the forthcoming 2023-24 class. Students enrolled in the 2022-2023 batch, on the other hand, would be able to complete their medical studies without interruption. Dr. Sunanda Raina, Principal of the Medical College, claimed that the college has not yet received any official information regarding the cancellation of its affiliation.

FAQs

1- Why did the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences revoke Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital’s affiliation?

A- The affiliation was cancelled because the medical college failed to meet the NMC’s criteria and demonstrated major shortcomings in faculty, patient load, and infrastructure.

2- What were the findings of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences panel?

A- The panel discovered major flaws in Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital, such as insufficient infrastructure and a shortage of patients, facilities, and teachers, endangering the careers of MBBS students.

3- What are the Punjab Government’s reservations about the medical college?

A- The Punjab Government expressed worry over the college’s noncompliance with statutory norms and guidelines, as well as the issue of charging students more than what was prescribed fees

A Closer Look at the Recent Developments

In the midst of reports of the de-recognition of approximately 140 medical colleges across the country, Dr. Rajeev Sood, a member of the National Medical Commission (NMC), has emphasised that the decision of de-recognition is not final and that the institutions can always appeal before the appropriate authorities. In this article, we’ll look at the recent crackdown on noncompliance with statutory medical education standards, the repercussions for medical schools, and the efforts being done to assure compliance.

The Strike Against Noncompliance

A Summary of the Situation

The main medical regulating authority, NMC, had already de-recognised roughly 40 medical colleges in the last two months due to non-compliance with regulations and shortcomings in faculty and security measures, according to Medical Dialogues. Additionally, approximately 100 other medical establishments are currently under investigation and are likely to face NMC action in the near future.

Derecognition Reasons

The NMC’s action is the result of institutions failing to achieve the established standards and regulations. Delays in faculty appointments, infrastructure, and security measures, such as the installation of CCTV cameras, have all led to these medical institutions’ de-recognition. The NMC is dedicated to maintaining the high quality and standards of medical education in India.

Appeals and the Future

Dr. Rajeev Sood’s guarantee

A member of the NMC, Dr. Rajeev Sood, has told the affected medical colleges that de-recognition is not a final decision. The colleges may appeal the decision to the National Medical Commission or the Union Health Ministry, as allowed for in Sections 28(6), 35(7), and 36(3). Colleges may continue to admit students if they follow the rules and regulations during this procedure.

Compliance and Timeline

Colleges that have received information regarding flaws must expedite the appeal procedure and guarantee compliance before the Supreme Court’s MBBS admissions deadline. Failure to comply may result in re-recognition concerns and the inability of colleges to admit students in the current academic year.

A Summary of Medical Education in India

Seat Availability Statistics

According to government data, 101,043 MBBS seats, 45,471 MD, MS, and PG Diploma seats, and 4,997 DM and MCh seats are available in India’s 660 medical colleges. When compared to before 2014, this suggests a huge rise in medical colleges and seat availability.

Increase in the Number of Medical Colleges and Seats

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of medical colleges has increased by 71% from 387 in 2014 to 660 today. Furthermore, from 51,348 before 2014 to 101,043 now, there has been a 97% rise in MBBS seats, with a large number available in both government and private medical colleges. PG and SS seats have also increased by 110%, from a combined total of 31,185 prior to 2014 to 65,335 now.

The college of former Union Minister Sujana Chowdary is facing recognition cancellation.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has decided to withdraw recognition from Mediciti Medical College, which is controlled by former Union Minister Sujana Chowdary. In addition, the council has issued instructions to halt admissions for the school year 2023-24. This judgement is the consequence of MCI findings of irregularities, resulting in a serious setback for the college and its students.

Irregularities in MCI’s Decision

Admissions to the MBBS programme at Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences have been cancelled for the academic year 2023-24, according to the cancellation order issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The decision was made due to anomalies discovered during the college’s inspection by the MCI. This cancellation is a major setback for both the college management and the prospective medical students who were seeking admission.

History of Mediciti Medical College

Mediciti Medical College is located on the outskirts of Hyderabad near Ghanpur and is connected with Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences in Warangal. Since its inception in 2002, the college has served as a medical education institution for nearly two decades. The huge 40-acre campus has served as a medical education hub, catering to the needs of students from all over the world.

The Effect on Students

The loss of recognition and the suspension of admissions for the academic year 2023-24 have left present and prospective students in an uncertain and worrying situation. The college now has 750 MBBS students and 150 PG students enrolled. The abrupt cancellation has left these students befuddled and has prompted concerns about their future and the authenticity of their degrees.

Clarification at College

In reaction to the MCI’s decision, the administration of Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences has stepped forward to clarify that its recognition was not revoked. The college administration has stated their willingness to collaborate with the MCI to fix any irregularities that may have been discovered. They maintain that the college is still committed to providing its students with high-quality education and training.

Around 40 medical colleges in India have lost their accreditation in recent months due to a failure to meet the requirements imposed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). According to official sources, these colleges were found to be non-compliant with the stipulated rules during Commission inspections. Vulnerabilities were detected in CCTV cameras, Aadhaar-linked biometric attendance protocols, and faculty rolls. Furthermore, roughly 100 more medical colleges in states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Assam, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, and West Bengal are expected to experience similar effects. This article investigates the reasons behind the denial, the influence on the medical education system, and the perspectives of specialists in the subject.

Increase in the number of medical colleges

According to government data, the number of medical colleges has increased significantly since 2014. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health, announced in February that the number of medical colleges has increased by 71 percent, from 387 in 2014 to 660 today. Furthermore, MBBS seats increased by 97 percent, from 51,348 to 101,043, while PG seats increased by 110 percent, from 31,185 to 65,335, within the same time period. The government put these measures in place to solve the country’s doctor shortage.

Initiatives by the Government to Improve Medical Education

The government has taken many initiatives to boost the number of medical seats in the country in order to meet the growing demand for doctors. The officially supported project for the development of new medical colleges by renovating district/referral hospitals is one of the primary efforts. This scheme has already made 94 of the 157 accredited colleges operational. These initiatives seek to increase the availability of healthcare experts while also improving the overall healthcare infrastructure.

Expert Opinions on the Derecognition

Concerns have been expressed by experts in the area about the NMC’s approach to derecognizing  colleges. They claim that the Commission mainly relies on the Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system, which only counts professors on duty between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Doctors’ working hours, on the other hand, are not set, as they frequently have to work during emergency and night shifts. The NMC’s rigorous working hour guideline has created a problem that experts believe should be addressed. They emphasise that micromanaging medical colleges is impracticable, and that the NMC should be flexible in dealing with such issues.

Another source of complaint raised by experts is the inconsistency between decertifying colleges for faults and permitting students to enrol in those same schools. This difference not only calls the NMC’s decision-making process into doubt, but it also tarnishes India’s global reputation as the largest supplier of doctors. Experts are concerned that incidents like this would damage trust in Indian doctors around the world.

Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry are among the 40 Medical colleges

Three medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry are among the 40 colleges that have lost their accreditation.

• Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai
• K. A. P. Viswanathan Government Medical College in Trichy
• Government Dharmapuri Medical College and Hospital are the three Tamil Nadu colleges.
• The Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMC & RI) is the Puducherry-based institute.

As part of the NMC crackdown, one of Arunachal Pradesh’s centuries-old medical colleges lost its accreditation. More than 150 medical colleges are still under inspection and face losing their commission certification if they fail to meet the NMC’s standards.

Students at the Universal Business School (UBS) in Karjat, Mumbai, who are pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, are currently in a difficult situation. Despite putting a lot of time and money into their study, they are having problems with the legitimacy and equivalent of their degree. Concerns concerning the approval and accreditation of the course offered by UBS that is linked with a foreign university have been raised as a result of this issue, which has led a number of students to submit complaints with the appropriate authorities. Let’s investigate this issue further and consider what it means for these pupils.

Students’ Situation at Universal Business School

Students are shocked to learn that their degree’s equivalency is being questioned after paying more than 18 lakhs ($24,000) for a three-year BBA programme at Universal Business School. After changing its name to Universal AI University recently, UBS, which launched its BBA programme in affiliation with a UK-based college in 2013, was formerly known as UBS. The issues relating to the authenticity and recognition of the degree gained by its graduates have not been addressed by this rebranding, nevertheless.

Initial inquiries and complaints

On April 18, a number of students formalised their grievance with the Panvel office of the joint director of higher education. An initial investigation was then carried out to determine the veracity of their worries. The inquiry’s interim report makes the case that a more thorough probe is necessary to address the issues the students cited. They specifically query whether UBS had authorization from any organisation before offering this course associated with a foreign university.

They have also complained to the Karjat police and Superintendent of Police (SP) Raigad, requesting that they fully look into the situation. SP Somnath Gharge has called a meeting with the institute’s office holders and students to further explore the problem. Despite the fact that SP Gharge recognises the significance of the higher education director’s decision in this instance, the complaint has been referred to the relevant department for review to see if any criminal charges, such as forgery, should be pursued.

Sushrut Hate, a 2019 graduate who is now studying for the UPSC test, was shocked to learn lately that his BBA degree is not accepted for positions in the Indian civil service. 

“I invested over ₹15 lakh in this program, only to find out that it holds no value for the career path I aspired to pursue,” he expressed with shock.

The higher education department has also received a complaint from 2020 graduate Akhil Parmar, who claims, “I spent more than ₹18 lakhs on obtaining this degree, hoping it would open doors to promising job opportunities. It’s disheartening to learn that my investment might go in vain.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Mumbai-based student Vivek Rathod, who made the initial complaint back in 2017. “I successfully cleared the CLAT exam to pursue a career in law, but during the admission process, I was informed that my BBA degree is not considered valid for LLB. It shattered my dreams and left me feeling betrayed,” he explained.

These students have filed complaints against the university, along with others, in an effort to get justice for the time, money, and hopes they spent in their education.

A View from Public Figures

Public figures and organisations have taken notice of the scandal surrounding the BBA degree offered by UBS. Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha state secretary Hrishikesh Joshi has written a letter to higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil pleading with him to step in and stop UBS from offering the BBA course. This shows that stakeholders’ worries about the validity of the degree and its possible effects on students’ future chances are growing.

The right college is crucial in determining a student’s future in the field of medical education. Unfortunately, recent events have left the future unknown for a number of MBBS graduates from three renowned medical institutes offering MBBS in Uttar Pradesh, India. Concerns have been expressed by students who completed their MBBS degrees at these institutions, which include the Government Allopathic Medical College in Banda, Government Medical College and Super Speciality Hospital in Azamgarh, and Government Medical College in Saharanpur.

Any educational institution’s legitimacy and authenticity, particularly in the field of medicine, are built on recognition. The inability of the aspiring doctors to register with the State Medical Faculty (SMF), as required by the national medical commission (NMC), as a result of these colleges’ lack of recognition, has put them in a difficult situation. Their professional development is hampered without this registration, leaving them with just provisional registration.

The director-general of medical education (DGME), Kinjal Singh, addressed this urgent situation and pledged to swiftly find a solution. The NMC is receiving representations, and a committee has been established to examine the difficulties preventing recognition. The NMC sent a letter to the DGME office outlining the colleges that are still awaiting recognition, including Rajkiya Medical College in Jalaun, whose principal asserts that the recognition issue has been handled.

The effects of this circumstance go beyond the current class of students who earned their MBBS degrees in 2022. The 2018 MBBS batch, which is presently studying for their examinations and is expected to graduate in 2023, is equally worried about the future. The NMC letter emphasizes that the commission and the central government have the right to take the necessary actions in accordance with the law if shortcomings at the aforementioned colleges continue despite careful inspection.

The Azamgarh Medical College’s principal, Dr. RK Sharma, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and gave the assurance that steps were being taken to swiftly address the registration problems. However, more research is necessary to fully understand the significance of registration in this situation.

The Importance of Registration for Medical Graduates: An Understanding

Before MBBS and BDS graduates can start their professional careers or seek higher education, registration with the SMF is crucial. Only those who have graduated from accredited medical and dentistry schools are eligible for this registration. It acts as a doorway for them to start working in Uttar Pradesh, giving them the legitimacy to diagnose patients and recommend effective therapies. Similar to that, they must register according to state law before practicing medicine outside of their own state’s borders. Practicing without registration could result in accusations of unauthorized practice, which could prompt action by the chief medical officer of the relevant district. Failure to get registration could have legal repercussions.

Students devote years of effort, devotion, and money to the pursuit of a lucrative medical career. These three medical colleges’ lack of recognition has jeopardized their hopes and objectives. The government must act quickly to correct the issues so that the impacted students can be properly recognised, registered, and given the chance to support the healthcare system.

As a result,

The difficulties encountered by the medical students who completed their MBBS degrees at the Government Allopathic Medical College in Banda, the Government Medical College and Super Speciality Hospital in Azamgarh, and the Government Medical College in Saharanpur demonstrate the necessity of a thorough and effective recognition procedure within the medical education system. The national government, the NMC, and the educational authorities must work together to quickly adopt decisions and take action that puts the future and welfare of these aspirant doctors first.

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We appreciate it that you’re here to read our in-depth guide to the internship for foreign medical graduates (FMG) in India. We will give you detailed information on the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) most recent clarification of the Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) in this article. To ensure a seamless entry into the Indian healthcare system as an aspirant FMG, it is essential to comprehend these requirements.

Knowing about the FMG Internship

What is FMG? 

Individuals who received their medical degrees from universities outside of India are known as Foreign Medical Graduates, or FMGs. These people want to work in medicine in India and improve the healthcare system there.

The Importance of CRMI A medical graduate’s journey to becoming a licenced practitioner in India requires them to complete a mandatory rotating medical internship (CRMI). It is a one-year internship programme designed to give FMGs real-world experience in a variety of medical specialties while assisting them in gaining important skills and abilities.

CRMI Clarification from NMC

The qualifications for FMGs pursuing CRMI in India were recently clarified by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The goal of this explanation is to establish clear rules and clear up any past uncertainty that FMGs may have had. Let’s examine the main ideas presented in the NMC’s explanation.

Eligibility requirements

Specific qualifying requirements have been established by the NMC for FMGs wishing to participate in the CRMI programme. These standards consist of:

• Degree Accreditation: FMGs must possess a medical degree that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) or another authoritative international directory.
• The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), commonly known as the MCI/NMC Screening Test, is a requirement for FMGs. The medical expertise and knowledge of FMGs are evaluated by this exam.
• Medical Council Registration: In order to pursue their CRMI, FMGs must first get temporary registration from the relevant State Medical Council (SMC).

The Clarification’s Goal

The NMC has carefully thought through the concerns surrounding the internship for FMGs in cooperation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. These clarifications are being made in order to ensure transparency and respond to issues that stakeholders and State Medical Councils have raised. The NMC attempts to give full information and promote understanding among the numerous parties involved by combining the rules and directions.

Important Provisions for FMGs in the CRMI Regulations of 2021

Foreign medical graduates must do at least a twelve-month supervised internship in India. In compliance with the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021, they must submit applications to the Commission for internships. For FMGs to graduate from their internships, their internships must be finished within two years of passing the final MBBS, FMGE, or NEXT Step-1 test.

FMGs will be assigned to medical schools or other organisations that are authorised to offer Compulsory Rotating Medical Internships (CRMI) to Indian Medical Graduates in order to streamline the internship procedure. The corresponding State Medical Councils will distribute the colleges. The corresponding State Medical Councils will distribute the colleges. The colleges, linked hospitals, and Community Health Centres must be approved by the Commission to run the CRMI programme before the counselling or seat allocation procedure can begin.

• Online Study Validation by Commission

The Commission allowed exceptions during the Covid-19 outbreak, despite the fact that it has never authorized or verified medical credentials (both theoretical and practical) only through online mode. In accordance with the existing curriculum, medical colleges and institutions in India are permitted to offer online courses that are reinforced with practical and clinical training. The NMC standards do not recognise online study for medical degrees, including its theoretical and practical components.

• Application of NMC Public Notice on FMGs from July 28, 2022

On July 28, 2022, the NMC released a public notice that clarified the rules that apply to foreign medical graduates (FMGs). The notice states that the two-year internship clause only applies to FMGs who were in their last year of medical qualifying studies when they were forced to return to India because of events like COVID-19 or the Russia-Ukraine War. These FMGs must pass the FMG Examination after successfully finishing their medical qualification and must then do a Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for two years, with a schedule of 12 months to be repeated. A hospital affiliated with a medical college is where this internship must be finished.

• Domicile Requirement by FMGs for Internships

State Medical Councils are not allowed to refuse FMGs access to medical universities for internships based only on where they reside. If they meet the requirements, FMGs are free to do their internships in any medical college located in a State or Union Territory. The allocation procedure shouldn’t take the domicile requirement into account.

• Partially completed internship by FMGs

An FMG is free to continue the second year of their internship in another medical college, a State, or a Union Territory if they have previously finished the first year of their internship in one medical college in India. Due to this flexibility, FMGs can select from a variety of seats to host internships.

• Stipends are paid to FMGs.

By way of a circular dated 19.05.2022, the NMC asked all Directorates of Medical Education and State Medical Councils to make sure that no FMG interns, whether Indian or foreign, are charged an internship fee by medical colleges or institutions. It was emphasized that FMGs in the relevant States/Union Territories should receive stipends and other benefits on par with Indian Medical Graduates.

• Putting Stipend Guidelines into Practise

Although the NMC has said that the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/university or State should determine the stipend level for FMG interns, the execution of these rules is at the sole discretion of the relevant State authorities. The State authorities are responsible for resolving this issue in circumstances when there is no budgetary provision in the allocation of annual budgets for stipend payment to FMGs.

• Foreign medical graduates are granted a one-time relaxation

The NMC has approved a one-time waiver due to the lack of internship seats for FMGs in several States and Union Territories as a result of the implementation of the two-year internship requirement. The list of Recognised Non-Teaching Hospitals for Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship published by the former Medical Council of India is validated by this relaxation for a period of one year beginning on the date of the circular. With this approach, FMGs will have the chance to finish their internships. However, only through the relevant State Medical Councils can FMGs be allocated to these non-teaching hospitals.

• Validation of Recognised Hospitals that Are Not Teaching

The NMC has approved the recognition of recognised non-teaching hospitals for mandatory rotating medical internships as a temporary measure. The former Medical Council of India published a list of these hospitals, and it is currently valid for a year. Subject to the allocation procedure overseen by the State Medical Councils, this validation permits FMGs to pursue their internships in these facilities.

• FMGs are distributed to non-teaching hospitals.

The relevant State Medical Councils manage the procedure of allocating FMGs to non-teaching hospitals for their internships. These councils are essential in ensuring transparent and fair allocation based on seat availability and FMG merit. The goal is to give FMGs a variety of interesting internship opportunities in various healthcare settings.

• Guidelines for State Medical Councils and Medical Education Directorates

The National Medical Commission’s (NMC) directives and directions for FMG internships are crucially carried out by the State Medical Councils and Directorates of Medical Education. They are in charge of organising and making it easier for FMGs to receive medical colleges, including non-teaching hospitals. The recommendations place a strong emphasis on following the eligibility requirements, abstaining from discrimination based on residence, and making sure that FMGs get stipends and other facilities in accordance with the NMC’s instructions.

Important clarifications and rules regulating the conduct of internships for Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in India have been published by the National Medical Commission. These rules cover a wide range of topics, including the applicability of the NMC’s public notice, domicile requirements, part-time internship completion, stipend payment and implementation, a one-time relaxation for FMGs, recognition of non-teaching hospitals, and the function of State Medical Councils and Directorates of Medical Education.

To maintain a seamless and open internship procedure for FMGs, it is crucial that all parties involved—including State Medical Councils—adhere to these rules. By doing this, we can make it easier for FMGs to become a part of the Indian healthcare system, improve their clinical expertise, and raise the standard of healthcare and medical education in the nation as a whole.