The Government of Assam has taken significant steps to streamline the Medical education curriculum, infrastructure, teaching methodologies, clinical exposure, and evaluation processes across various domains, including pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, and other allied health sciences, in a progressive move to improve the quality of medical education in the state of Assam. This proactive step strives to create excellence and uniformity in medical and healthcare education across the state, ensuring that students get the finest instruction and preparation to meet future healthcare demands.

Medical Association with Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS)

All institutions offering Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Paramedicine, and other Allied Health Sciences programmes in Assam, including those under other State and Private Universities, will be required to apply for affiliation with Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) in order to achieve the objective of standardizing healthcare education. The institutions that are currently affiliated with other universities in Assam and offering these programmes are instructed to submit an application to move their affiliation to SSUHS. The SSUHS will evaluate the institutes and, after a careful review procedure, grant affiliation beginning with the academic year 2023–2024.

Centralised Admission Test for Medical 

The admission process for programmes in pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, and other allied health sciences shall only be done through the centralized Entrance Examination organized by SSUHS beginning with the academic session 2023–24 in order to assure fair and merit-based admissions. The most worthy applicants for admission will be chosen using the results of this standardized exam as a basis for assessing the ability and knowledge of prospective students.

Putting a stop to Unrecognised Medical Institutions

The Government of Assam has discovered that there are private institutions operating in the medical healthcare education field without sufficient regulatory license or recognition, which results in the issuance of fake degrees and diplomas. Deputy Commissioners have been given the authority to take severe action against such institutions in order to protect the interests of students and uphold the integrity of healthcare education. They will be obliged to stop these unlicensed institutions’ operations and make sure they receive the proper regulatory approval from the government and affiliation with SSUHS.

The Streamlined Approach’s Advantages

Students, organizations, and the medical and healthcare industry as a whole all gain from Assam’s coordinated approach to healthcare education in a number of significant ways. Some major benefits include:

1. Standardized Medical Education

Institutions offering programmes in pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, paramedicine, and other allied health sciences will adhere to a standardized curriculum thanks to the requirement of affiliation with SSUHS. This guarantees that students receive a consistent, thorough education that adheres to national and international standards and gives them the skills and information they need to succeed in their particular industries.

2. Enhanced Academic Standards for Medical Education

The affiliation with SSUHS will impose strict criteria for instruction on educational institutions. This measure encourages superior teaching practices and fosters a favorable learning environment for pupils. The importance placed on high-quality instruction improves students’ comprehension, critical-thinking skills, and capacity for knowledge application, ultimately creating competent healthcare professionals.

3. Increased Clinical Exposure to Medical and Healthcare Students

Practical training and exposure to real-world healthcare settings are two essential components of healthcare education. Institutions will be better able to give students increased clinical exposure thanks to the simplified approach. This offers chances for practical experience, internships, and clinical rotations that help students gain crucial clinical abilities, empathy, and adaptability in a variety of healthcare settings.

4. Strict Evaluation Procedure

SSUHS will put in place a thorough evaluation procedure that guarantees accurate and thorough assessments of students’ performance. This strategy includes a variety of evaluation techniques, including written tests, practical evaluations, research projects, and presentations. SSUHS ensures that students’ abilities are appropriately assessed and acknowledged by upholding rigorous evaluation standards, promoting an academic excellence culture.

A commendable step towards raising the standards of medical and healthcare education is the Assam government’s initiative to integrate medical and healthcare education across the state by affiliating with Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) and implementing a centralized entrance exam. Assam is well-positioned to generate a new generation of highly qualified and competent healthcare workers by establishing a standardized curriculum, encouraging great teaching standards, offering increased clinical exposure, and putting in place a strict evaluation procedure. Students will gain from this change in healthcare education, but it will also help Assam’s healthcare system as a whole, leading to better healthcare for the state’s residents.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has decertified three medical colleges in Assam, including Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College (Barpeta Medical), in response to violations of its medical education standards. During the Commission’s inspections, these colleges were found to be non-compliant with the specified standards, with many gaps connected to CCTV cameras, Aadhaar-linked biometric attendance protocols, and faculty rolls uncovered. The NMC has emphasized the adoption of the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) in all medical institutions to guarantee that attendance is captured on a regular basis as required by rules.

The Crackdown on Non-Compliance

The NMC has de-recognized about 40 medical colleges in the last two months. According to officials, over 100 more medical institutes are currently under investigation and may face similar NMC action. The NMC has remained unwavering in its aim to promote high standards of medical education and ensure regulatory compliance.

Union Health Minister’s Warning

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya issued a strong warning to medical colleges that fail to follow norms and retain qualified faculty in December. The government is dedicated to hold medical institutions accountable for providing quality education and maintaining the necessary infrastructure and faculty.

Blaming NMC Officials

Dr. Abhijit Sharma, superintendent of GMCH, has chastised NMC officials for the college’s de-recognition. According to him, the NMC team performed the inspection on January 23, 2023, a national holiday that also happened to coincide with the college’s winter vacation. As a result, a sizable section of the employees was on leave at the time. Dr. Sharma believes that the scenario may have been averted if the inspection had been arranged around state and national holidays.

Colleges’ Right to Appeal

Despite the NMC’s decision to revoke recognition, the impacted medical colleges have 30 days to file an appeal. The initial appeal must be made to the NMC, and if that is denied, the institutions can take their case to the Union Ministry of Health. The GMCH authorities have recognised the need to address the issues mentioned by the council and intend to reapply for recognition.

The eagerly awaited list of chosen foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who would complete obligatory rotational internship training in Government Medical Colleges in Assam has just been made public by the Director of Medical Education (DME Assam). These graduates now have more chances to advance their medical careers and obtain important experience thanks to this exciting development. The relevance of this training programme will be clarified as we go into the specifics of this announcement.

The Selected List of International Medical Graduates

The names of the chosen candidates are listed together with the year they passed the FMG Screening Test, the seat they were given, and the length of their internship on the list that was made public. 87 foreign medical graduates in total have been selected to complete one or two years of required rotating internship training at Assam’s government medical colleges. These individuals are qualified for this distinguished programme since they earned their MBBS/BDS or comparable degrees with honours from reputable overseas institutions.

Reporting to the medical colleges’ principals

On or before May 15, 2023, the chosen applicants must report to the principals of their respective medical colleges. This phase guarantees a seamless entry into the internship programme and enables the candidates to become familiar with the rules and regulations of the college. The applicants show their dedication to the training programme and to their future professions as doctors by arriving on time.

Payment of a Stipend for a Two-Year Internship

According to the NMC Circular’s instructions (U.15024/01/2022-UGMEB, dated May 9, 2023) the second year of the interns’ two-year, required rotational internship training would be compensated with a stipend. This financial assistance honours their effort and commitment throughout the programme. The stipend lends assistance to the interns, enabling them to concentrate on their education and professional development without worrying about money.

FMGs are given a one-time relaxation when NMC permits internships in non-teaching hospitals.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has made a significant change by granting foreign medical graduates a one-time relaxation. This waiver enables them to complete their required rotating internship training in 679 non-teaching hospitals in addition to Government Medical Colleges. As a result, FMGs will have access to a wider variety of training venues and exposure to various healthcare settings during their internships.

Process of Counselling for Qualified Foreign Medical Graduates

On April 18, 2023, counselling for the required rotating internship training took place. Candidates needed to be Assam permanent residents and have passed their MBBS (Part-II) final examination or equivalent from institutions outside of India to be eligible for counselling. The selection process’s counselling part was essential in ensuring that the deserving individuals have the chance to improve Assam’s healthcare system.

Assam’s Directorate of Medical Education: Supporting Medical Research and Science

The Health & Family Welfare Department of the Government of Assam founded the Directorate of Medical Education, Assam, Training and Research in 1984. Its main goal is to advance medical scientific knowledge in a variety of fields, including paramedicine, allopathic medicine, ayurvedic medicine, homoeopathic medicine, and more. Through the several hospitals that fall under its purview, the Directorate plays a crucial role in offering healthcare facilities and research opportunities to the people of Assam.

The Directorate’s Course Offerings

A variety of courses in the medical and paramedical sciences are available through the Directorate of Medical Education in Assam. These programmes are made to give prospective healthcare professionals thorough instruction and training. The Directorate offers the following courses:

1. MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)

The MBBS programme is an undergraduate medical programme that lasts five and a half years. It seeks to give students a solid foundation in clinical skills and medical knowledge. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree after completing the programme.

2. BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

A five-year undergraduate dental programme is called the BDS programme. It places a strong emphasis on oral health and dental care and gives students the knowledge and abilities to identify and treat a range of dental disorders. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree after successfully completing the programme.

3. MDMS (Doctor of Medicine, Master of Surgery)

Postgraduate specialisation in a variety of medical and surgical fields is available through the MDMS programme. It enables medical graduates to continue their education and acquire in-depth knowledge and experience in their field of study. Depending on the specialisation, the program’s length varies.

4. MDS (Master of Dental Surgery)

A postgraduate dental education that offers specialisation in numerous dental fields is the MDS programme. It offers comprehensive instruction in difficult dental problem diagnosis, management, and therapy. Depending on the student’s choice of specialisation, the program’s length varies.

5. DM/MCH (Doctorate of Medicine/Master of Chirurgical)

A super-specialty course called the DM/MCH programme enables medical professionals to specialise in particular areas of surgery or medicine. It offers opportunity for advanced training and research to build expertise in a particular field of medical practise. Depending on the specialisation selected, the program’s length varies.

6. D Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy)

The D Pharm programme is a pharmacy diploma programme. It puts a strong emphasis on pharmaceutical sciences and trains students to become pharmacy assistants and technicians. Pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and pharmaceutical chemistry are among the subjects covered in the programme.

7. Sc Nursing (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

A nursing undergraduate course is the B.Sc. Nursing programme. It trains students to become capable nurses who can deliver high-quality medical care. Aspects of the programme include nursing care, pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology.

8. MSc Nursing (Master of Science in Nursing)

A postgraduate study that offers specialisation in many nursing fields is the M.Sc. Nursing programme. It offers sophisticated knowledge and abilities in nursing administration, research, and specialised patient care. The curriculum gives graduates the ability to lead and manage in the field of nursing.

.9. Diploma in Paramedical Sciences

Specialised training in numerous paramedical areas is available through the Diploma in Paramedical Sciences programme. It trains students for careers as knowledgeable healthcare specialists who support physicians in patient diagnosis and care. Radiography, medical imaging, and medical laboratory technology are just a few of the courses offered in the programme.

The Directorate of Medical Education, Assam, offers courses that are intended to satisfy the state’s medical education requirements. These courses give students the solid groundwork and useful skills they need to succeed in their chosen area of paramedical or medical sciences. The Directorate works to advance medical research and education to the highest standards, ensuring that Assamese citizens receive high-quality healthcare from the state’s medical experts.