‘Students without Biology in Class 12 can still become doctors’: NMC guidelines

‘Students without Biology in Class 12 can still become doctors’: NMC guidelines

24 Nov 2023, 12:29 PM IST

The PCM stream students can clear the biology/biotechnology examination as an additional subject at 10+2 level from any recognised board to become a doctor eventuallyStudents who have pursued physics, chemistry, biology or biotechnology along with English even as additional subject after passing class 12 from duly recognised boards will be eligible to appear in NEET-UG test

Students who have opted for the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) stream in Class 11 and 12 can still become doctors now in the country. As per the latest guidelines by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the PCM stream students can clear the biology/biotechnology examination as an additional subject at 10+2 level from any recognised board to become a doctor eventually.

The decision will apply even to those students whose applications were previously rejected, NMC added.

What was the previous guideline for NEET-UG?

The erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) had mentioned that candidates must have undergone two years of regular or continuous study of the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Biotechnology, in Class 11 and 12 with practical, along with English could sit for the exam. Earlier, the two-year study was required to be completed from regular schools and not from open schools or as private candidates.

Further, the study of Biology and Biotechnology or any other requisite subject, could not be completed as an additional subject after passing Class 12.

The provisions had been challenged before the Delhi High Court and were quashed vide judgment dated May 11, 2018, in a case and other related matters.

This had a consequential bearing on the candidates seeking admission in graduate and primary medical courses in foreign medical institutes due to the statutory regulations in this regard i.e. the eligibility requirement for taking admission in an Undergraduate Medical Course in a Foreign Medical Institution Regulations, 2002 and the Screening Test Regulation, 2002.

In this background, candidates had been debarred from the NEET-UG Test as also their applications seeking eligibility certificates were rejected.

What new NEET-UG guidleines say?

The National Medical Commission held detailed deliberations in a meeting held on June 14, 2023, and took into consideration the New Education Policy, which permits a great extent of flexibility in the study of various subjects in Class 12.

And "decided that the previous approach of the erstwhile Medical Council of India needs to be revisited by permitting candidates to undertake a study of the requisite subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology along with English) even as additional subjects after passing Class 12th from duly recognized boards by the concerned Government".

Such candidates shall be permitted to appear in the NEET-UG Test and thus will be eligible for a grant of eligibility certificate, the notice stated.

The present decision shall be applicable retrospectively also on candidates whose applications for grant of eligibility certificate have been rejected on the grounds contemplated in the present public notice. However, to appear in NEET-UG, candidates who become eligible after the date of the present public notice, shall be permitted to appear in NEET-UG-2024.

THOSE WITHOUT BIOLOGY AT 10+2 EXAMS CAN NOW BECOME DOCTORS

 

Doctor seeks 113 refund from cab service, loses 5L

Doctor seeks 113 refund from cab service, loses 5L

Nov 21, 2023, 03.38 AM IST

New Delhi: A doctor who wanted a refund of Rs 113 from a cab service company lost Rs 4.9 lakh in a digital fraud when he rang up what he believed was a customer support number.

Pradeep Chowdhury, of Arjun Nagar in Safdarjung Enclave, wrote in his police complaint that he had taken a cab to Gurgaon for work. “He had booked a cab for Rs 205, but after the ride was over, he was charged Rs 318,” a police source said.

The doctor asked the cabbie why he had been overcharged Rs 113. The cab driver informed Chowdhury that he could obtain a refund by contacting the cab service's customer care.

Chowdhury immediately searched the internet and found a phone number that claimed to belong to the cab company.

He made the phone call. The person who answered the call posed as a customer care representative of the cab service and asked him about his problem. Chowdhury said he told the man about the incident and requested a refund.

His call was transferred to another person, who identified himself as Rakesh Mishra.

Mishra asked Chowdhury to download a remote sensing application and then asked him to open his e-wallet. He told him to type the refund amount. “He then asked the victim to type the first six digits of his phone numbers in the field where people typically enter the amount in the wallet and send it to him. The victim asked why he had to do this. Mishra told him it was the verification process,” a Delhi Police source said.

Chowdhury typed in what he was asked to do. He also gave his OTP to the Mishra. Four transactions were made and the frauds duped him of Rs 4.9 lakh.

A case under IPC section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 66 D of the IT act have been registered. The official suspects that the scammers posted the fake customer care number of the company online, and Chowdhury fell into the trap while searching for the cab company's customer care number. “We have formed teams to crack the case,” the officer said.

PG medicos’ stir on Nov. 8

PG medicos’ stir on Nov. 8

The Hindu Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram

Postgraduate medicos across the State will go on a 24-hour strike on November 8, boycotting all hospital services including emergency services, in protest against the government’s continued neglect of their demand for a hike in stipend.

In a statement here on Thursday, the Kerala Medical Postgraduates’ Association said they had conducted a token strike on September 29.

Despite the promises since 2019 to hike stipend, the government has done nothing to fulfill this promise.

The functioning of government medical college hospitals across the State may be affected on November 8, as house surgeons are also likely to join the strike.

 

From 2024-25 Session, Medical Colleges To Be Rated On Quality Of Medical Education.

From 2024-25 Session, Medical Colleges To Be Rated On Quality Of Medical Education.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) signed an MoU with the Quality Council of India (QCI) for assessing ratings of the medical institutions in July.

India News Press Trust of India Updated: October 31, 2023 10:55 pm IST

New Delhi: From the 2024-25 academic session, both government and private medical colleges in the country will be rated based on the quality of education they provide.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) signed an MoU with the Quality Council of India (QCI) for assessing ratings of the medical institutions in July. Currently, only government medical colleges are bound to participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Dr Yogendra Malik, member of the NMC's Ethics and Medical Registration Board said on Tuesday.

"QCI provides a mechanism for independent third-party assessment of products, services and it aims to promote quality through national accreditation of testing, inspection and certification bodies which are internationally recognized," he said.

"This is the first time that medical colleges will be assessed and ranked based on several parameters. The initiative will bring in accountability, and adherence to high standards and help students choosing the right medical college," he said.

The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC is responsible for carrying out inspections for granting permission for new medical colleges, increase of MBBS/PG/super-speciality seats, and renewal of permission for existing medical colleges.

SC order opens door for fair stipend for MBBS interns in Kerala

SC order opens door for fair stipend for MBBS interns in Kerala

Verdict will help medicos from other colleges to seek similar remedy.

Published: 18th October 2023 08:15 AM

By Unnikrishnan S

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Supreme Court verdict that forced a private medical college in Delhi to pay fair stipends to MBBS interns came as a shot in the arm for students in the state who have been voicing their concerns. The Army College of Medical Sciences in Delhi informed the court that they started paying Rs 25,000 each per month to all the 105 interns, to comply with the order.

The health activists have welcomed the development. According to them, the apex court verdict would help all medical interns from other colleges to seek similar remedy.

“It is the first time that a private medical college is correcting the stipend discrepancy. The right to stipend has been upheld by the court. It can be a reference for future litigations,” said Dr Babu K V, an RTI activist who supported the students in getting a favourable verdict.

The members of Medical Students Network (MSN), the student unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA), who have been fighting against the stipend disparity are thrilled at the development. “We had conducted extensive campaigns against the disparity without much success. Most of the students do not want to continue the fight as they are focused on completing the course without inviting trouble from the management. This verdict, however, gives hope,” said a medical student.

Despite stipends being a rightful part of clinical training, nearly 70% of medical colleges across the country do not pay stipends, or offer amounts well below the fixed stipend, the counsel for the petitioners informed the court. The situation in Kerala is no different as the students have come out against the wide disparity.

They complained that the stipends are decided by the college authorities and no college is paying stipends on a par with the government medical college. While the students in government medical colleges get around Rs 26,000, the stipends in private colleges vary between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000. A few colleges pay a stipend as low as Rs 1,500 after various deductions.

Dr Babu said the private medical colleges were not addressing the students’ complaints due to lax regulations.“Both NMC and its predecessor had a number of opportunities to bring parity regarding the stipend of MBBS interns. But they torpedoed a proper Graduate Medical Education Regulations for uniform stipend for MBBS interns,” he said.

Prayagraj: Doctor father appears in NEET with daughter, excels

Prayagraj: Doctor father appears in NEET with daughter, excels

By  K Sandeep Kumar, Prayagraj

Oct 17, 2023 04:30 PM IST

Sangam city neurosurgeon Dr Prakash Khaitan preprepared and appeared in the all-India entrance exam along with his daughter despite his heavy load of patients and surgeries and qualified the exam along with her this year.

Parents often resort to scolding, close-monitoring and even nagging their children during exam times, especially in the run up to professional entrance exams to ensure success of their wards.

Sangam city neurosurgeon Dr Prakash Khaitan (HT)

But a noted Sangam city neurosurgeon Dr Prakash Khaitan, 49, took a unique path to motivate his 18-year-old daughter Mitali to clear her medical entrance examination.

He preprepared and appeared in the all-India entrance exam along with his daughter despite his heavy load of patients and surgeries and qualified the exam along with her this year.

His ploy worked too and his daughter bagged admission in a top medical college of the country based on her NEET (UG) score.

“My daughter was struggling to retain her interest in studies post Covid-19. I got her admitted to a coaching institute in Kota, Rajasthan, but she was not comfortable with the environment there and returned home. With tough competition for bagging a MBBS seat in India, I decided to motivate my daughter by studying along with her and appearing in the NEET (UG)-2023 exam with her,” said Dr Khaitan, who is a Guinness World Records holder for performing an eight-hour surgery on an eight-year-old girl and removing 296 cysts from her brain, on April 13, 2011.

So, Dr Khaitan started studying for the NEET exam stealing time out of his busy schedule and heavy load of patients owing to his being just a handfulof neurosurgeons in Prayagraj.

“It was a after a gap of 30-odd years that I prepared for the medical entrance exam, something which I had done as a student while appearing for CPMT in 1992. I guided Mitali and constantly tried to motivate her to put in the hard work that the entrance exam needs to clear it,” Dr Khaitan said.

Clearing CMPT in 1992, Dr Khaitan had bagged admission in MLN Medical College, Prayagraj (then Allahabad) and after completing his MBBS went on to complete his MS (surgery) in 1999 and then M.Ch (neurosurgery) in 2003 from King George Medical College, Lucknow.

For NEET (UG)-2023 exam, the father and daughter got different centres on May 7.

Dr Khaitan appeared at a centre in Shivkuti while Mitali did so at Jhunsi. When the results came out in June, Mitali pipped her dad bagging over 90 percentile while Dr Khaitan secured 89 percentile.

Though the NEET (UG)-2023 mop up round of counselling continued till September third week, Mitali bagged MBBS admission in Kasturba Medical College, Manipal of Karnataka in July itself.

“I believe the message that I wanted to give to my daughter, and everyone is that there is no age to study. Commitment and hard work can help you succeed no matter how much things change or seem uphill, he added with a smile.

Reducing NEET PG percentile will cut seat wastage, claims govt

Reducing NEET PG percentile will cut seat wastage, claims govt 

Experts are sceptical that lowering the NEET PG cut-off to zero will negatively impact the quality of doctors 

Sonal.Srivastava@timesgroup.com 

To ensure that no PG medical seats remain vacant, the health ministry, in a one-time measure, recently reduced the NEET PG cut-off to zero across categories. The move would reduce the wastage of PG seats and democratise postgraduate medical education in India. However, continuous monitoring and competency assessments must be adopted to maintain the quality of PG education, say experts. A level playing field A health ministry official on condition of anonymity highlights the problem of PG seats remaining vacant. “As many as 3,000 seats remained vacant last year, despite the reduction of 20 percentile in the cut-off. To reduce the wastage of seats, the government reduced the percentile to zero.” “However, this does not mean that students with zero percentile can directly go to a medical college and get a seat. 

The allotment will be done in a centralised manner and only those with higher percentiles will get seats in premier institutions. Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will be holding counselling sessions for all India quotas, while the stategovernment will hold the counselling of state quota,” added the source. NEET PG is more of a grading exam rather than a qualifying exam. “All students have completed their MBBS and are examining patients; they are all eligible. Getting a PG seat does not guarantee becoming a specialist overnight; they will have to study for a couple of years and then clear the National Exit Test (NExT) to specialise in a stream,” said the source. 

The directive will democratise medical education by allowing a diverse group of aspiring doctors to get a PG degree. “This inclusivity is important in a diverse country that demands candidates from various backgrounds and regions aspire to become specialists. Also, by widening the pool of eligible candidates, we can channel more doctors into underserved areas, thereby improving healthcare across the country. The reduction of the cutoff can alleviate the immense stress and pressure associated with achieving high scores. There is already intense competition in medical entrance exams and lowering the cut-off could contribute to a healthier, more balanced approach to medical education,” says Dr Somashekhar SP, chairman -Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare GCC & India. Institutions must implement comprehensive assessments and evaluations throughout the PG training period.

 To maintain quality, continuous monitoring and competency assessments are vital to ensure that students, regardless of their NEET PG score, are adequately prepared to meet the standards expected of medical professionals, adds Dr Somashekhar. Compromising merit Experts are sceptical; they say that lowering the NEET PG cut-off to zero may impact the quality of doctors in India, In 2023, the NEET PG cut-off percentile was 50 for students from the general category, 45 for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and 40 for students from other reserved categories. Lowering the cut-off to zero has been welcomed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) which demanded a 30% cut-off percentile in September 2023 citing the Covid-induced struggle faced by medical graduates, but other medical associations like the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) have opposed the move. Dr Rishiraj Sinha, national executive member, FAIMA, calls the reduction of the percentile to zero a ‘murder of merit.’ He says private medical colleges will benefit from the move and students will find it difficult to afford PG medical education in India.

 “Those who have worked hard to get a PG seat are frustrated as candidates with negative percentile will also join them in the classrooms,” adds Sinha. PG medical education can be slightly expensive in India, forcing many students who may have scored a comparatively higher percentile to pursue medical education in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan among others. “At a time when we are asking other countries to teach according to Indian standards, reducing the percentile to zero reeks of hypo crisy,” says Anuj Goyal, cofounder,  explaining that the fees of clinical seats in PG in deemed universities in some states is Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore per year, which roughly translates to Rs 2.5 crore for three years and it is a considerable amount for students to cough up, hence seats remain vacant even in the clinical courses in some deemed universities.

 After the reduction of the cut-off, the students with deep pockets will be able to buy such seats. “It may result in a student with a low percentile being inducted into the medical education system while a high-merit candidate may not be able to afford it. This will aggravate the fight between merit and means,” says Goyal.

Med degrees from many countries may be inconsequential after NMC's rule

Med degrees from many countries may be inconsequential after NMC's rule

TIMES OF EDUCATION

With the NMC update, internships awarded by medical universities in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia will not be accepted in India

Puniti.Pandey @timesgroup.com

 
18.09.2023

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released an alert notifying MBBS students studying abroad that it will not accept the internship completed in most foreign medical colleges in CIS countries. As per the new notification, the student must finish the internship separately after the completion of the MBBS course. This notification has put the future of thousands of medical students at stake.

"The alert clarifies that integrated internship included within the undergraduate medical course of foreign universities is not valid and the internship is acceptable by NMC only when it is pursued after the completion of their MBBS course," says Anuj Goyal, career counsellor, "This will make medical education from many Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) irrelevant in In- dia. Medical universities in most of the CIS countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia have claimed that their six-year programme will include internship. With this fresh update from NMC, the internship awarded by these countries will not be accepted as a clinical internship. As these countries do not follow the structure of internship after completion of the course, the student will have to undergo a specialised residency programme."

This will also increase the overall duration of medical education in these countries further invalidating the course. As per the NMC guidelines, a student must complete the MBBS course in not more than 10 years. "Foreign MBBS aspirants are concerned that if they will spend seven to eight years abroad, then how will they complete their NEXT 1 exam, 12 months internship in India and NEXT 2 exam. If they are not able to pass through all the processes within 10 years, their degree will become automatically invalid," adds Goyal.

Clinical experience is imperative

As per NMC's previously released mandate, the criteria to recognise FMGS applying for a licence or permanent registration to practice in India require FMG students to undergo a course of theory, practical and clinical training equivalent to the MBBS in India. This means that the students should complete an internship of twelve months in addition to the course. The internship should be done in the same foreign institution where the primary medical qualification has been obtained along with hands on training in clinical subjects.

"On August 8, 2023, NMC also issued an alert warning Indian students seeking admission to foreign universities to ensure all the conditions of FMGL Regulation 2021 are met. The commission then cle-rly stated that any variation in the duration, medium of teaching, syllabus, clinical training, internship etc, from an overseas university would lead to disqualification. Students will solely be responsible for their decisions. Thousands of medical aspirants have already been admitted to foreign universities in the 2023 session and they are confused that if their university has any variation in their course compared to FMGL Regulations 2021 then it may lead to their disqualification to practice in India and will close the doors for them to come back to their own country.

It is imperative for NMC and health ministry to objectively analyse the current situation and take corrective action by educating medical aspirants," says Ravi Kaul, di- rector, Admission Advisors.

NMC lowers pass marks to 40% in MBBS to focus on competency-based learning Candidates scoring 40% in theory, 60% in practicals will be declared qualified in the subject

NMC lowers pass marks to 40% in MBBS to focus on competency-based learning Candidates scoring 40% in theory, 60% in practicals will be declared qualified in the subject

Ayushi.Gupta1@timesgroup.com 

Education Times 11.09.2023

The undergraduate medical education board under the National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently reduced the passing marks to 40% in MBBS subjects. This amendment was done under the Competency Based Medical Education Regulation (CBME)2023 guidelines that are responsible for regulating the curriculum, MBBS admission process, and academic calendar among others. As per the latest update, MBBS students should obtain 50% aggregate marks and 60:40 (minimum) or 40:60 (minimum) in university conducted exams separately in theory and in practical (including clinical and viva voce) in order to pass the subjects. 

Dr Somashekhar SP, global director, Aster International Institute of Oncology, says, “The changes have been made by the NMC due to the evolving medical education standards, feedback from medical educators, and the changing healthcare landscape. This formula typically refers to the weightage given to theoretical (written) and practical (clinical) assessments. For example, 40% of the assessment may be based on written exams and 60% on clinical evalua tions or vice versa. This approach aims to ensure that students have a well-rounded skill set.” 

Lowering the pass percentage in the MBBS exam will align the assessment criteria with the CBME approach, which focuses on competency-based evaluation rather than traditional percentage-based grading, adds Dr Somashekhar. NMC aims to increase the number of doctors to manage the increasing healthcare demand. “To maintain the fine balance in society, this will increase the number of primary healthcare providers in villages and smaller cities. 

This model is similar to China’s ‘barefoot doctors,’ who were clinically skilled doctors supporting the people living in the inte riors. This guideline should help in controlling the number of quacks operating in the rural areas,” says Dr Ravi Kant, former vice-chancellor, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. The students will focus more on clinical training during the degree course, Dr Raj Vardhan, OSD chairman, NIIMS Hospital, Noida International University, says, “Medical students must focus more on gaining comprehensive knowledge and skills rather than just aiming to pass exams. This will encourage a deeper understanding of the subjects,” adds Dr Vardhan, underlining how the guidelines will improve the quality of medical education, aligning it with international standards and addressing specific challenges faced during medical training. 

MBBS students often prefer practising just after completing their degree to enhance their clinical skills, NMC has come up with the 40:60 and 60:40 formula, says Dr Ravi Kant. “Every student who wants to pursue specialisation will be given indepth knowledge about their subjects during the programme. NMC’s focus here has shifted from enhancing students’ theoretical concepts to making them clinically skilled doctors who can serve the primary healthcare as we do not need super specialists everywhere,” he adds.

Bid to influence patient: Police yet to nab six employees of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital

Bid to influence patient: Police yet to nab six employees of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital

The Medical College authorities had initiated disciplinary action against the six employees based on an internal investigation report

The Medical College police are yet to track down the five employees who were recently placed under suspension by the Kozhikode Medical College Principal for their suspected attempt to influence a patient who was allegedly molested by their colleague. Another temporary worker at the MCH who was dismissed in connection with the incident is also at large.

It was on March 23 that the suspension order was issued on the basis of a report prepared by the Director of Medical Education on the instructions of Health Minister Veena George. Attenders Shyni Joseph, Asya, P.E. Shyma, and Shalooja and nursing assistant Praseetha Manoli were suspended. Deepa, a daily wage worker, was dismissed from her post.

The case was registered against the six after the survivor complained that she was offered money to settle the case and change the statements against the accused, Kuzhipparambathu Saseendran, 55, who was arrested. They reportedly approached the woman for talks wearing their official uniform. Based on the woman’s statement, the police booked the six under various non-bailable sections.

“The arrest is delayed as all of them have gone into hiding following police investigation. They are not in Kozhikode district now,” said a senior police officer heading the probe.

The woman was allegedly molested by the hospital attendant while she was being shifted to the women’s surgical ICU after undergoing thyroidectomy on March 18. The accused was nabbed by the police on March 20. It was a nurse at the ICU who helped the survivor communicate with the hospital authorities about the situation and lodge a petition with the police.

 

Asked to choose between MBBS & sports, Sift Kaur Samra from Punjab refused to lay down arms, wins World Cup medal

TNN | Mar 27, 2023, 09.52 AM IST

 

 BHOPAL: First-year MBBS student Sift Kaur Samra won her first individual World Cup medal on Sunday as her family watched with pride from the gallery at the ISSF tournament in Bhopal. For the 22-year-old, the podium finish came on the back of a very tough decision – choosing between two targets, her education and her passion.

The tournament dates clashed with her first-year MBBS exams. She says she requested her college to hold the exams separately for her so that she could represent the nation but it was turned down. Asked to choose between the scalpel and her rifle, she chose the sport. “And I’ll stick to my guns till the 2024 Olympics,” she told TOI.

Samra shot her way to a bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3-position, taking India’s medal tally to seven and ensuring second place for the country.Her happiness is tinged with concern for her MBBS, though. That she cracked NEET while keeping her sights on the bullseye is exemplary, but juggling the two proved tough.
“I am not able to manage shooting with MBBS. Before coming here, I requested my college to hold separate exams for me, but they refused. They went on suggesting that I should repeat the first year,” said Samra, a student of Government GGS Medical College, Faridkot, Punjab.

“I met a couple of ministers and other influential people to help me but to no avail,” said Samra, who is the first shooter in her family.

She said she was about to quit the sport last year. “After being selected for MBBS, I had made up my mind to give up shooting. However, a national championship was being held in Bhopal, so I told myself I’ll call it quits after the tournament. I set a national record and life changed. I realised that I should not leave shooting,” said Samra.

So what of her medical course? “I haven't thought about it. I have no idea whether my college will consider me for a separate exam. I do not know what will happen about my academics,” she said, adding in the same breath: “I have set my sights on the next Olympics. I’ll give MBBS a thought only after that.”

The Punjab girl does not like pistols. It’s rifles for her.

On Sunday, as the reigning national champion, Samra began on a strong note in the qualification of the women’s 3P with 588 points, securing the second spot after China’s Zhang Qiongyue (594). Samra displayed excellent consistency in the finals to secure a bronze after she shot 403.9 in the top-eight ranking round. Zhang defeated Aneta Brabcova of the Czech Republic 16-8 for the gold.

TN Health Minister M Subramanian inaugurates 16 pay wards in Madurai GRH

TN Health Minister M Subramanian inaugurates 16 pay wards in Madurai GRH

He added the GRH has been performing high gender affirmation surgery in South India. "232 trans people, including 106 transwomen and 126 transmen, have benefited so far since 2021.
 
Published: 03rd March 2023 06:47 AM 

 

Health Minister Ma Subramanian inaugurated the pay ward in the super speciality block and Trauma care center of Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai

express photo/k k Sundar 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Health Minister M Subramanian inaugurated paid wards, estimated at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) on Thursday. Eight wards were opened each in the Super Speciality block and Trauma Care Centre in the hospital. Minister M Subramanian said the state government took an initiative to bring pay-ward facilities in cities like Chennai.

"Earlier, pay wards were opened at Salem government hospital. Now in Madurai GRH, 16 pay wards have been open for patients. Each of the eight pay wards comprise five single rooms and three deluxe rooms, which has air-conditioning facility with an attached restroom, dual cots for patients and attender, cupboard, television, sofa and other necessary amenities. On a daily basis, Rs 1,200 will be charged for single rooms and Rs 2,000 will be the cost of deluxe rooms," the minister said.

He added the GRH has been performing high gender affirmation surgery in South India. "232 trans people, including 106 transwomen and 126 transmen, have benefited so far since 2021. 110 surgeries have been performed free-of-cost under the chief minister's comprehensive health insurance scheme. Equipment to a tune of Rs 2.50 crore will be brought for the infertility centre. The tender process is underway for the new construction building for the Institute of Child Health in GRH," added Subramanian

Speaking on the construction of Madurai AIIMS, the minister said consultancy work tender will be finalised in April and construction tender will be done in December. He said the construction will start in 2024 and will be completed in around four years. Minister of Commercial Taxes, Registration, P Moorthy, District Collector Dr. S Aneesh Sekhar, MLA G Thalapathi, and Corporation Commissioner Simranjeet Singh Kahlon were present. Health secretary P Senthil Kumar inspected the GRH hospital and medical college. After that he oversaw the construction of the hospital's tower block building.

Later in the day, Health Minister M Subramanian inaugurated 14 primary health centres and health sub centres worth Rs 3.88 crore in Ramanathapuram district. Addressing the media, he said a health and management centre was opened for adolescents in Uchipuli primary health centre. "As earlier announced by the government, similar health and management centres will soon be opened in Tiruchy, Chengalpattu, Virudhunagar and 30 other districts," he added.

National Medical Commission (Undergraduate Medical Education Board) 2. 3. Dated the 1st March 2023

 National Medical Commission (Undergraduate Medical Education Board) 2. 3. Dated the 1st March 2023 

Standardizing  the  electives and observer ship programs offered to foreign nationals at medical colleges across the country , the NMC has issued guidelines for the grant of a   NOC to such  Medicos. These guidelines set the duration  allocation of seats processing fee and overall mandate for the electives and observer ship program for foreign nationals

 As per the provisions under the IMC act 56 and the PG regulation 2000,  it is not mandatory for foreign candidates  to have temporary registration with NMC/ MCI at the time of writing NEET -PG. Foreign nationals can write NEET -  PG without registration 

However they are required to obtain temporary registration from the apex medical regulator for the duration of the PG course restricted to the medical college institution to which they are admitted. 

The issuance  of NOC is the prerogative of the medical Institution and  based  on the NOC provisional  registration are processed for foreign nationals.

 As per the recently issued NMC guidelines Foreign  nationals will not be allowed to pursue electives or observer ship  training with the approval of the NMC .On the number of foreign nationals allotted seats in medical colleges the NMC has directed that for the UG category the number cannot exceed 5% of the total intake of the institution where as for PG the criteria is set at only  2 foreign national candidates per specialty .

During the observer ship trainees are  not permitted to be involved in any patient  care .The foreign medical doctors are also not allowed for another elective or observer ship program a second time until a minimum of 1 year is completed from the day of completion of the previous elective/ observer ship .

The guidelines applicable from today that is  from first March 23 also specify the processing fee to grant permission to Foreign Nationals for elective observer ship.

In order to review the existing practice available in the erstwhile Medical Council of India regarding grant of "No Objection Certificate" to medical students/doctors from foreign countries, a Committee was constituted under the Chairpersonship of President, UGMEB to define the norms/guidelines in respect of Electives/Observer ship by Foreign Nationals in Indian Medical Institutes/Colleges under National Medical Commission. 

Guidelines for grant of NOC for Elective/Observer ship by Foreign Nationals in Indian Medical Institutes/Colleges under National Medical Commission 

As per the recommendation of the aforementioned Committee, all the medical institutes/colleges are hereby directed to follow the following norms/guidelines while applying to the Commission for grant of NOC for Electives/Observer ship by Foreign Nationals in India : 

(i) NO Foreign National shall be allowed Electives/Observer ship in any Indian Medical Institute/University in any capacity without the consent of National Medical Commission.

 (ii) Number of Foreign Nationals for Electives/Observer ship in UG Category in a given academic year shall NOT exceed 5% of sanctioned annual intake of that medical college.

 (iii) The maximum number of Foreign Medical doctors for Electives/Observer ship in PG Category shall NOT exceed 2 (two) doctors in each specialty per year in an institute/college. 

(iv) NO Foreign student coming for Electives/Observer ship (UG or PG category) shall be allowed to examine or treat the patients. 

(v) The maximum period of Electives/Observer ship shall be 90 days only. 

(vi) The processing fee to grant permission to Foreign Nationals for Elective Observer ship shall be US $100 (hundred US Dollar only) or equivalent (excluding GST) for undergraduate students and US $200 (two hundred US Dollar only) or equivalent (excluding GST) for postgraduate students. 

(vii) A foreign national who has once availed of elective observer ship in India, shall not be allowed to do the same second time till the duration of a minimum of one year of time is completed from the day of completion of the previous Elective/Observer ship. 

The above guidelines shall be applicable w.e.f. 1s¹ March 2023. 

This issues with the approval of the Chairman, National Medical Commission.  (Shambhu Sharan Kumar) Director, UGMEB 

Medical seat based on merit, don’t trust agents, colleges warn parents

Medical seat based on merit, don’t trust agents, colleges warn parents

Since the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) streamlines the medical education sector in a particular manner, seats are declared for all categories with the State government authorities. So, medical colleges claim that it was impossible for anyone to fulfil promises of seats. 

Dt Next Bureau

 Medical seat based on merit, don’t trust agents, colleges warn parents

Published on : 

21 Feb, 2023, 1:42 am

CHENNAI: As admissions begin in medical colleges in the State for the upcoming academic year, medical colleges have warned parents to stay alert against any fraudulent agents promising seats for money, especially in the private sector.

Since the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) streamlines the medical education sector in a particular manner, seats are declared for all categories with the State government authorities. So, medical colleges claim that it was impossible for anyone to fulfil promises of seats.

Representatives from the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research said: “The seat allotment is based on merit and no outsiders are encouraged while doing so. With NEET, we entertain contacts only after seat allotment from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. We contact only those to whom a seat has been allotted.”

Medical colleges admit that there have been incidents when parents have come for counselling sessions based on some referral that did not have any relation to the college, and this has led to many conflicts.

A representative from a medical college in Medavakkam averred, “We’ve published a disclaimer on our website to prevent issues that cause misunderstanding to the parents. We also give all the details in the brochure too. However, still parents fall for the fraudulent agents and end up losing money.”

Administrative officers from a private medical college affiliated with Dr MGR Medical University stated that the medical college does not accept admissions based on referrals. “Seats are distributed as per the allotment set by the State government. Parents should educate themselves on the rules and regulations regarding medical education and not try to admit their children through any agents,” they added.

'What Kind Of Doctors Will We Produce?' : CJI DY Chandrachud Disapproves Of MBBS Students' Plea To Appear In Exams After 4 Failed Attempts

'What Kind Of Doctors Will We Produce?' : CJI DY Chandrachud Disapproves Of MBBS Students' Plea To Appear In Exams After 4 Failed Attempts

Padmakshi Sharma

8 Feb 2023 4:37 PM

What Kind Of Doctors Will We Produce? : CJI DY Chandrachud Disapproves Of MBBS Students Plea To Appear In Exams After 4 Failed Attempts

In a plea filed by candidates seeking to appear in the first professional university exams for MBBS after four failed attempts, CJI DY Chandrachud expressed his disappointment with the petitioners. The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala.

Upon the plea being mentioned, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, while referring to the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education (Amendment) 2019 said–

However, when the counsel pushed for a date, the CJI remarked–

"We are only cutting corners for education. These are doctors – four times you failed and then you want to appear again. Do your work instead of doing all of this, coming to courts for all this. Nowehere in the world would this be permitted. What kind of doctors are we going to produce?"

The counsel for petitioners highlighted that the attempts were made by the candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic and more than 1000 students would not become doctors if the plea was not heard.

CJI DY Chandrachud said–

"Other people also appeared in COVID and passed. I will consider and give a date."

In 2019, the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education (Amendment) 2019 were passed to amend the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997. The amended regulations reads as follows–

"No more than four attempts shall be allowed for a candidate to pass the first Professional examination. The total period for successful completion of first Professional course shall not exceed four (4) years. Partial attendance of examination in any subject shall be counted as an attempt."

MBBS : Supreme Court Refuses To Transfer Petitions Filed In HCs Against NMC Regulations Limiting Number Of Exam Attempts

MBBS students unhappy over NEET-PG date in Tamil Nadu

MBBS students unhappy over NEET-PG date in Tamil Nadu 

TNN | Jan 8, 2023, 04.49 AM IST Printed from 

CHENNAI: The National Medical Council's (NMC) cut off date of March 31 for completion of internship for MBBS students to be eligible to apply for NEET-PG 2023 will render several thousand final year MBBS students ineligible to appear for the exam scheduled for March 5. Students in many medical colleges in Tamil Nadu - government, self-financing and deemed universities -will be completing their internships between April and June, as postings for the year-long internships were given late in 2022 due to the pandemic. 

While many students in deemed universities such as SRM University will complete their internship in April, those in state-run medical colleges will complete them in June. "No medico studying in the regular batch will be eligible to write NEET-PG 2023. In Tamil Nadu most colleges will be eligible only if the last date is fixed on June 15 2023," said Tamil Nadu Medical Council president Dr K Senthil. The council would write to the NMC and the National Board of Examination seeking change in the deadline for completion of CRRI, he said. The state health department has also received representations from heads of colleges, students and parents, said Tamil Nadu health secretary P Senthilkumar, adding: "We will take this up immediately with the Centre to ensure students are not punished." 

The information bulletin released by the National Board of Examination, a body which conducts NEET-PG - an eligibility-cumranking examination prescribed as the single entrance examination for admission to MD/MS and PG diploma courses - said: "Requests for appearing in NEET-PG 2023 from candidates completing internship after 31st March 2023 or having qualifications that are not recognized as per the NMC Act, 2019 and the repealed IMC Act, 1956 shall be summarily rejected. Candidates are further advised not to canvass for the same.

" The deadline for submitting applications for the exams ends by January 27 and the NTA will issue admit cards for the exam by February 27. Medical students and professors at medical college in Tamil Nadu say the Centre's rule is unfair. "The entire batch will be affected if the rule is not revised. 

They will have to waste one year for no fault of theirs. Their classes were disturbed, exams were postponed and postings were delayed due to Covid. Why should we students who worked so hard, be punished?" asked a student from the state-run government medical college in Omandurar

CBI lens on foreign medical graduates working without clearing test

CBI lens on foreign medical graduates working without clearing test

TNN | Dec 27, 2022, 02.23 AM IST

NEW DELHI: On a complaint filed by the health ministry, the CBI has initiated a probe to ascertain how dozens of foreign medical graduates allegedly got themselves registered with the state medical councils (SMCs) or Medical Council of India (MCI) without qualifying the foreign medical graduate examination (FMGE). At least 73 such candidates, who studied medicine in different countries, are under the scanner, sources said adding that many of these candidates studied in Russia, Ukraine and China between 2011 and 2022.

An FIR under sections of prevention of corruption act apart from IPC sections pertaining to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery has been registered.

As per existing regulations, any student who pursued medicine from an institution abroad must qualify a screening test called the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to get a provisional or permanent registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or State Medical Councils (SMCs) and practice medicine in India.

In his complaint to CBI, an under secretary in the health ministry cited two letters dated September 12 and October 17 received from the National Board of Examinations (NBE) informing that it had identified 73 such candidates who had not qualified the screening test as per NBE records but were likely to have obtained registration with various SMCS in the country. The NBE also provided the list of these 73 candidates specifying the details of their registration with the SMCs.

“Their registration status has been verified with the official websites of the NMC and respective SMCs. Such fraudulent and fake registration by non-qualified persons will be detrimental to the health and well-being of citizens. It has inter-state ramifications in health sector. It also involves many states spread across the country. It is requested to investigate how these non-qualified persons managed to get registration in India,” reads the ministry’s letter to the CBI.

The National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences (NBE-MS) has been entrusted with the responsibility to conduct the screening test for the foreign medical graduates possessing a primary medical qualification awarded by any medical institution outside India.

“It is suspected that an organised racket was at play through which the candidates managed to register themselves with the state medical councils by paying a bribe amount. The role of a few officials in these councils is being investigated,” a source said. The agency is in the process of recording the statements of these 73 candidates to ascertain how they managed to get their registration.

As of now it is unclear if any of the students airlifted from Ukraine were on the list.

‘Norms for setting up medical colleges relaxed’

‘Norms for setting up medical colleges relaxed’

The MP had asked her whether the union government took adequate measures to increase medical colleges in the country to meet the standards as recommended by the WHO.

Published: 22nd December 2022 05:16 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Replying to a question by DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu on Tuesday, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar informed Parliament that relaxation has been made in setting up medical colleges and other health infrastructure to strengthen the health sector in India.

The MP had asked her whether the union government took adequate measures to increase medical colleges in the country to meet the standards as recommended by the WHO. Replying, the union minister said: “As informed by National Medical Commission (NMC), there are 13,08,009 allopathic doctors registered with State Medical Councils and NMC as of June 2022. Assuming 80% availability of registered allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors, the doctor-population ratio in India is 1:834 against WHO norms of 1:1000.”

The union minister added that various measures and steps have been taken to augment medical education facilities and improve medical standards in the country. Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishing new medical colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals, under which 157 new medical colleges have been approved, and CSS for strengthening/upgrading existing government medical colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.

Norms for establishing new medical colleges in terms of faculty and staff requirements, beds and other infrastructure had also been relaxed, the minister said.

Odisha to bring new policy for PG doctors’ placement

Odisha to bring new policy for PG doctors’ placement

The place of posting of doctors will be decided through online counselling now

Published: 20th December 2022 06:13 AM |

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The state government has decided to introduce a new policy to ensure transparency in placement of PG doctors and fulfilment of their bond conditions.As per the policy, the place of posting of the doctors will be decided through online counselling, which will be done on the basis of their NEET score. Two separate merit lists will be prepared - one for direct candidates and another for in-service candidates.

The initial posting, subsequent deployment in peripheral institutions, doctors going on higher study, defaulters will be maintained in the online portal and all such deployment will be notified in the website. It has been decided to appoint all PG doctors as specialists (broad specialty) or junior consultants (super specialist) against existing vacant posts of senior resident or tutor in government medical colleges and hospitals (MCHs).

While the number of doctors to be deployed in district headquarters hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and first referral units will be as per load of the institution, junior consultants and pre and para clinical doctors will be posted in medical colleges on need basis.

The Health and Family Welfare department has asked Director of Health Services and Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) to decide the discipline and number of doctors needed to be posted in the peripheral health institutions under a medical college.

As per the instruction of the DMET, dean and principals will deploy the PG doctors (excluding the super specialist and pre and para clinical doctors) posted under them in peripheral health institutions tagged to their medical college on rotation basis for a period of six months. A dedicated cell will function in the office of DMET to regulate the management of post PG doctor deployment, database and certification.

The experience certificates of the doctors will be issued by the DMET as per the initial posting order at MCH.Health secretary Shalini Pandit said the state government has initiated various measures to fulfil the vacant posts of doctors and specialists in the periphery hospitals and MCHs. “The new policy will facilitate the process and make it transparent. The counselling for placement of PG doctors will be online instead of physical mode conducted earlier,” she added.of physical mode conducted earlier,” she added.