National Medical Commission (NMC) Review Meeting
Source : The Hindu
Governance

What is discussed under National Medical Commission (NMC) Review Meeting ?

1. National Exit Test ( NExT)
2. National Medical Commission Act 2019 (NMC)
3. About National Medical Commission (NMC)

Why in News ?

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare review meeting with the National Medical Commission. Important issues of medical education were discussed in the meeting.

Key Facts

• Efforts are underway to ensure that the National Exit Test ( NExT) will be conducted in the first half of 2023 as per the roadmap.
• To test the procedure and remove anxiety among medical students, a Mock Run is also being planned and will be

  

  conducted in 2022.

• ways to make NExT an examination of world-class standard was also discussed and deliberated.
• NExt Exam lies in the fact that it will be the same for everyone whether trained in India or any part of the world and hence it will solve the problem of foreign medical graduates (FMGs) / Mutual recognition.
• National Exit Test ( NExT)
  •  Screening Test for Foreign Medical Graduates who are now required to qualify Medical Council of India Screening Test (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination or FMGE) and will for admission into postgraduate medical courses.
  • In January 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also introduced the draft National Dental commission Bill that also called for National Exit Test after BDS for dentists in India.
  • NEXT will be the basis for admission to the postgraduate broad- speciality medical education in medical institutions.
  • Governed under the provisions of National Medical Commission Act 2019 (NMC) or under any other law for the time being in force and shall be done in such manner as may be specified by regulations, the minister said quoting the rules from the NMC which was passed in August last year.
• National Medical Commission Act 2019 (NMC)
  • Constitution of the National Medical Commission: The Bill sets up the National Medical Commission (NMC). Within three years of the passage of the Bill, state governments will establish State Medical Councils at the state level.
  • Members of the NMC will include :
    1. Chairperson (must be a medical practitioner)
    2. Presidents of the Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Medical Education Boards
    3. Director General of Health Services, Directorate General of Health Services
    4. Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research
    5. Five members (part-time) to be elected by the registered medical practitioners from amongst themselves from states and union territories for a period of two years.
  • Medical Advisory Council : Under the Bill, the central government will constitute a Medical Advisory Council. The Council will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the NMC.
  • Entrance examinations : There will be a uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to under-graduate and post-graduate super-speciality medical education in all medical institutions regulated under the Bill.
  • Bill proposes a common final year undergraduate examination called the National Exit Test for the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain the license for practice.

About National Medical Commission (NMC)

• NMC has been established by an Act of Parliament known as National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
• It came into force on 25.9.2020.
• Objective of
  • Improving access to quality and affordable medical education.
  • Ensuring adequate and high-quality medical professionals in all parts of India.
  • Provide equitable and universal health care.
• Broad functions of NMC
  • Laying down policies for maintaining a high quality and high standards in medical education and making necessary regulations;
  • Laying down policies for regulating medical institutions, medical researches and medical professionals;
  • Assessing the requirements in healthcare, including human resources for health and healthcare infrastructure and developing a road map for meeting such requirements;
  • Promoting, coordinating and framing guidelines and laying down policies by making necessary regulations for the proper functioning of the Commission, the Autonomous Boards and the State Medical Councils.
• It also ensures coordination among the Autonomous Boards.
• NMC also acts as the appellate jurisdiction with respect to decisions of Autonomous Boards and lays down policies and codes to ensure observance of professional ethics in the medical profession and promotes ethical conduct during the provision of care by medical practitioners.

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