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.

In a major setback for undergraduate medical education in Tamil Nadu, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to withdraw recognition to these institutes for deficiencies in Aadhaar-based biometric attendance and footage from cameras installed in these colleges. Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai, K A P Viswanathan Government Medical College in Trichy, and Government Dharmapuri Medical College and Hospital are among the three medical colleges. These three medical schools have a total capacity of 500 MBBS seats.

Issues with Attendance and Camera Systems

The UGMEB’s decision to remove recognition is based on inadequacies discovered in the Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system and the operation of cameras in these medical institutions. The board deemed the colleges’ reaction to these shortcomings to be “not satisfactory.” This development raises questions about the quality of undergraduate medical education as well as the institutions’ adherence to attendance and surveillance mechanisms.

Biometric Attendance Problems

The flaws in the Aadhaar-based biometric attendance system raise worries about the accuracy of tracking staff and student attendance. The UGMEB anticipates that faculty absences will be recorded on these computers to ensure transparency and accountability. However, institutions have stated reasons such as weekly offs and leave letters as to why faculty members are not registered on the biometric system. This disparity calls into question the effectiveness of the existing attendance tracking system.

Camera Functionality Issues

In addition to the concerns with the attendance system, the use of cameras in some medical colleges has been a source of worry. The cameras have either stopped working or their angles have changed as a result of the weather. These difficulties jeopardize the institutions’ surveillance and monitoring capabilities, thus jeopardizing the safety and security of students and staff.

Medical Education Implications

The UGMEB’s revocation of recognition has serious repercussions for undergraduate medical education in Tamil Nadu. The three medical schools affected by this setback have a total intake capacity of 500 MBBS seats. The revocation of recognition jeopardizes the entrance of new students, thereby jeopardizing their education and future professional possibilities.

Penalties and Immediate Measures

Colleges are taking immediate action to remedy flaws and limit the impact on students. Senior authorities, including Health Secretary Gagandeep Singh, have met to discuss how to fix the attendance and camera systems. The colleges have agreed to hire a dedicated individual who will be responsible for updating all absentees on the biometric system. On Monday, a compliance report will be provided to indicate the progress made in fixing these shortcomings.

Meanwhile, the UGMEB has resolved to penalize medical schools for their deficiencies. However, the colleges have the option of appealing the decision to the National Medical Commission (NMC). This alternative allows them to present their case and oppose the removal of recognition, providing them the opportunity to correct the flaws and recover recognition.

Similar Instances in Medical Education

The denial of recognition to Tamil Nadu medical colleges is not an exceptional issue. Several more medical facilities in different sections of the country have recently been denied recognition.. This issue has raised questions about the quality of medical education and the norms that these institutes uphold.

One such case occurred in the state of Kerala, where the recognition of a medical college was revoked due to significant infrastructural faults and non-compliance with the Medical Council of India (MCI) requirements. In terms of faculty strength, infrastructure facilities, and patient load, the college fell short of the needed benchmarks. As a result, the MCI revoked its recognition, emphasizing the importance of improving medical education.

In another case, a medical college in Maharashtra suffered a similar fate after failing to meet the MCI’s recognition criteria. The institution lacked sufficient faculty members, adequate facilities, and necessary equipment, which jeopardized the quality of education and training supplied to students. As a result, the MCI denied the institution recognition, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining the appropriate standards in medical education.

These examples show the need of following the guidelines and regulations established by the separate medical bodies in the country. Recognition is important for medical colleges since it assures that they meet the required standards of education, infrastructure, and faculty, ensuring the quality of medical professionals produced.

Efforts must be made to overcome medical education deficits such as a lack of trained faculty, poor infrastructure, and a lack of current teaching methods. Regulatory organizations should undertake regular inspections and evaluations to monitor and maintain the quality of medical establishments. Collaboration between medical schools and regulatory organizations can also assist identify areas for improvement and execute necessary adjustments to improve the quality of medical education.

It is critical that medical colleges and regulatory agencies collaborate to maintain standards and guarantee that students receive quality education that will prepare them to become competent healthcare providers in the future.

In a significant announcement, the Indian government has issued a public notice stating that all Indian medical graduates who have successfully completed their final MBBS examinations until the Academic Year 2022-23 will be granted provisional registration in the concerned State Medical Council and subsequent internship in their Parent Colleges, regardless of their Medical Colleges’ recognition status. This audacious initiative attempts to simplify the registration process and ensure that aspiring doctors can begin their professional careers without additional delays or hurdles. Let’s look into the specifics of this news and what it might mean for Indian medical grads.

Recognising the Public Notice

The Indian government’s public notification has far-reaching repercussions for Indian medical graduates. Let’s look at some of its important features:

Provisional Membership in the State Medical Council

All Indian medical graduates who have successfully completed their final MBBS examinations before the Academic Year 2022-23 are eligible for provisional registration in the relevant State Medical Council under this notice. This provision ensures that these graduates can practise medicine while gaining useful experience.

Following Internships in Parent Colleges

In addition to provisional registration, the notification allows Indian medical graduates to begin their internships in their Parent Colleges right now. This provision ensures that graduates can finish their necessary internship period on time, gaining hands-on experience under the supervision of seasoned medical experts.

Medical Colleges’ Status of Recognition

Indian medical graduates who have passed their final MBBS exams before the Academic Year 2022-23 will be eligible for provisional registration and future internship, regardless of the status of their Medical Colleges. This clause is especially important since it assures that the institution’s recognition status does not impede the professional development of talented medical graduates.

The Effect on the Indian Medical Education System

The publication of this public notice is expected to have a number of beneficial effects on the Indian medical education system. Let’s look at a few of them:

Motivating Medical Graduates

This notification encourages Indian medical graduates to continue their professions without unnecessary delays by offering temporary registration and direct internship options. It instills confidence in prospective doctors and encourages them to pursue their dreams.

Taking Care of Recognition Issues

One of the most significant issues that medical graduates confront is the recognition status of their Medical Colleges. This notification bridges the gap and ensures that meritorious graduates can begin their jobs regardless of their institution’s status.

Increasing Medical Knowledge

The announcement enables medical graduates to obtain practical experience and improve their medical skills by allowing rapid internship possibilities. This hands-on training is critical for the formation of well-rounded doctors capable of meeting the population’s different healthcare demands.

Improving Healthcare Infrastructure

Provision of temporary registration and subsequent internship at Parent Colleges also helps to develop the country’s healthcare system. This notification addresses the scarcity of healthcare workers in diverse places by allowing medical graduates to practise medicine and serve patients.

In a recent decision, the Madras High Court bench ruled that diploma holders are not permitted to operate a clinic anywhere in the state without a recommendation from the National Medical Commission (NMC), formerly the Medical Council of India (MCI), or the AYUSH Department. The HC bench of Justice M Dhandapani further defined “Registered Medical Practitioner” as “a person who possesses any of the Government recognised medical qualifications and who has been enrolled in the register of the respective Council viz., Medical, Dental, Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani or Homeopathic Councils or the Board of Indian Medicine” or “Doctor” as “means and includes a Residency”

The court made this statement as it was deliberating a petition by diploma holders asking it to step in and prevent the health department from interfering with their ability to establish primary healthcare clinics. The petitioners contended that they were qualified to manage primary health care clinics in rural areas after successfully completing the two-year Diploma in Community Medical Service and Essential Medicines Course. They further asserted that they never identified themselves as doctors and that there was no legal restriction on their ability to practice community medical services and essential drugs.

On the other hand, the government’s attorney argued that if the petitioners were qualified to operate a clinic, they would need to submit an application under the Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997, and secure approval before opening one. The government’s representative contended that the petitioners were not permitted to operate a clinic anywhere in Tamil Nadu or in rural areas since they lacked the necessary authorization.

The attorney further emphasized that, pursuant to Rule 2(i) of the Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishments (Regulations) Rules, “doctor” in 2018 refers to and includes a Registered Medical Practitioner who provides consultations or treatment under AYUSH or Allopathy. Regarding this, the government’s attorney said that the petitioners are not permitted to operate a clinic or practice medicine until their qualifications have been approved by the Medical Council of India or the AYUSH Department.

The Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishments (Regulations) Rules, 2018’s pertinent clauses were also skimmed by the Madras High Court’s panel in order to review the definitions of physicians and licensed medical practitioners.

The Madras High Court bench’s earlier decision was also cited by the bench, according to the ruling. The HC bench noted, referring to the rules, that “the above said provisions makes it clear that Registered Medical Practitioner means a person who possesses any of the Government recognised medical qualifications and who has been enrolled in the register of the respective Council, viz., Medical, Dental, Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani or Homeopathic Councils or the Board of Indian Medicine or any such Council, Board or any other statutory body recognised by the Government of Tamil Nadu

In the decision, the bench remarked, “The petitioners are not permitted to operate a clinic anywhere in Tamil Nadu without approval from the Medical Council of India or the AYUSH Department.” As a result, neither the relief requested in these petitions nor the claim raised in the writ petitions may be considered.

The Madras High Court panel had emphasized last month that unqualified persons cannot claim any right to practice alternative medicine as the outcome can be devastating, refusing any relief to a total of 61 practitioners. By this, the court had mandated that the state take action against institutions and practitioners of medicine that were not recognized.

In the absence of any genuine medical certificates and without their names being registered with the Tamil Nadu Medical Council, the court had instructed the authorities not to permit the petitioners to continue their medical practice in alternative medicine or in any other type of medicine.