<<–2/”>a >span style=”color: #ff0000;”>Note: READ is our New Initiative to cover two Topics (Weekly) of Current Importance in Detail with Specific focus on Prelims and Mains Exam
National Medical Council Bill
The National Medical Commission Bill, 2017, which aims to overhaul medical Education in India and replace the 83-year-old Medical Council of India with a government-appointed NMC, has several worrying features.
The Bill sets up the National Medical Commission (NMC). The NMC will regulate medical education and practice. It will determine fees for up to 40% seats in private medical institutions and deemed universities.
The NMC will consist of 25 members. A Search Committee will recommend names to the central government for the post of Chairperson, and the part time members.
Four autonomous Boards have been set up under the supervision of the NMC. These Boards will focus on undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, assessment and rating, and ethical conduct.
There will be a National Licentiate Examination for doctors to obtain a licence to practice after graduation. This examination will also be the basis for admission to post-graduate medical courses.
State Medical Councils will receive complaints relating to professional or ethical misconduct against a doctor. If the doctor is aggrieved of a decision of the State Medical Council, he may appeal to successively higher levels of authority.
The Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and aims to reform the medical Education sector, which has been under scrutiny for Corruption and unethical practices. It provide for a medical education system which ensures:
- Availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals
- Adoption of the latest medical research by medical professionals
- Periodic assessment of medical institutions
- An effective grievance redressal mechanism
Two controversial proposals in the previous draft:
- National Exit test:Proposal to test the knowledge the MBBS students for giving them license to practice. Many say that doctors are negligent, and the idea was to ensure the quality and that it has been tested. It has been dropped as there is a requirement of strengthening our examination system and a uniform strong system across the country.
- A bridge course to enable AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga/”>Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) practitioners of alternative medicines to practice and dispense modern medicines:It cannot take care of the interlinking, drug interactions and replace the MBBS course.
However, due to controversies and Observing the need to act strictly against unqualified practitioners, the Centre approved with above amendments to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, which will now be tabled in Parliament.
- Final MBBS examination to be held as a common exam across the country and would serve as an exit test – National Exit Test (NEXT). It would also serve as the screening test for doctors with foreign medical qualifications in order to practise in India.
- The provision dealing with “bridge course” for AYUSH practitioners to practise modern medicine has been removed.
- The maximum limit of 40% seats — for which fee would be regulated in private medical institutions and deemed universities — has been increased to 50%.
- Number of nominees from states and UTs in the NMC has been increased from 3 to 6. The NMC will comprise 25 members of which at least 21 will be doctors.
- Monetary penalty on a medical college non-compliant has been replaced with provision that provides other penalty Options.
- Stringent punishment for unqualified medical practitioners or quacks could be as severe as imprisonment of up to one year along with a fine up to Rs5lakh
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The National Medical Council Bill, 2017 is a bill that was introduced in the Indian Parliament in 2017. The bill proposes to replace the Medical Council of India with a new body, the National Medical Council. The new body would be responsible for regulating medical education and practice in India.
The bill has been controversial, with some doctors and medical students opposing it. They argue that the bill would centralize power in the hands of the government and reduce the autonomy of medical colleges and universities. They also argue that the bill would make it more difficult for doctors to practice medicine in India.
The bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha, but it is still pending in the Rajya Sabha. It is not clear whether the bill will be passed by the Rajya Sabha, or whether it will be amended.
The following are the sub topics of the National Medical Council Bill:
- Establishment of the National Medical Council
- Composition of the National Medical Council
- Functions of the National Medical Council
- Regulation of medical education
- Regulation of medical practice
- Medical Councils
- Medical institutions
- Medical practitioners
- Offences and penalties
- Appeals
- Miscellaneous
- Repeal and saving
Establishment of the National Medical Council
The National Medical Council would be established as a body corporate by the Central Government. The Council would have a head office in New Delhi and may establish regional offices in other parts of India.
Composition of the National Medical Council
The National Medical Council would consist of the following members:
- A President, who would be a person who is or has been a judge of The Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of a High Court;
- Two Vice-Presidents, who would be persons who are or have been members of the Indian Medical Council;
- Ten members, who would be persons who are or have been professors of medicine, surgery, or any other branch of medicine in a medical college or university;
- Five members, who would be persons who are or have been practicing doctors;
- Two members, who would be persons who are or have been members of the public;
- One member, who would be a person who is or has been a member of the Central Council of Health; and
- One member, who would be a person who is or has been a member of the State Council of Health.
Functions of the National Medical Council
The National Medical Council would have the following functions:
- To regulate medical education in India;
- To regulate medical practice in India;
- To grant recognition to medical institutions and medical qualifications;
- To conduct examinations for the purpose of granting recognition to medical institutions and medical qualifications;
- To maintain a register of medical practitioners;
- To take disciplinary action against medical practitioners;
- To promote research in medicine;
- To publish a journal and other publications; and
- To perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Regulation of medical education
The National Medical Council would be responsible for regulating medical education in India. The Council would have the power to grant recognition to medical institutions and medical qualifications. The Council would also have the power to conduct examinations for the purpose of granting recognition to medical institutions and medical qualifications.
Regulation of medical practice
The National Medical Council would be responsible for regulating medical practice in India. The Council would have the power to maintain a register of medical practitioners. The Council would also have the power to take disciplinary action against medical practitioners.
Medical Councils
The National Medical Council would establish Medical Councils in each State and Union Territory. The Medical Councils would be responsible for carrying out the functions of the National Medical Council in the respective States and Union Territories.
Medical institutions
The National Medical Council would have the power to grant recognition to medical institutions. The Council would also have the power to conduct examinations for the purpose of granting recognition to medical institutions.
Medical practitioners
The National Medical Council would maintain a register of medical practitioners. The Council would also have the power to take disciplinary action against medical practitioners.
Offences and penalties
Any person who contravenes any provision of the National Medical Council Bill would be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Appeals
Any person aggrieved by any order of the National Medical Council may appeal to the Central Government.
Miscellaneous
The Central Government may make rules for carrying out the provisions of the National Medical Council Bill.
Repeal and saving
The National Medical Council Bill would repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.
The National Medical Council Bill is a proposed law in India that would replace the Medical Council of India (MCI). The bill has been controversial, with some doctors and medical students opposing it.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the bill:
- What is the National Medical Council Bill?
The National Medical Council Bill is a proposed law in India that would replace the Medical Council of India (MCI). The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) on December 23, 2016.
- What would the bill do?
The bill would establish a new National Medical Council (NMC) to regulate medical education and practice in India. The NMC would be responsible for setting standards for medical education, registering doctors, and taking disciplinary action against doctors who violate the law.
- Why is the bill being proposed?
The government has said that the bill is necessary to improve the quality of medical education and practice in India. The government has also said that the bill is necessary to make the medical profession more accountable to the public.
- Who opposes the bill?
Some doctors and medical students oppose the bill. They argue that the bill would give the government too much control over the medical profession. They also argue that the bill would make it more difficult for doctors to practice medicine.
- What is the future of the bill?
The bill is currently being debated in the Indian Parliament. It is not clear whether the bill will be passed.
Here are some short answers to the questions:
- The National Medical Council Bill is a proposed law in India that would replace the Medical Council of India (MCI).
- The bill would establish a new National Medical Council (NMC) to regulate medical education and practice in India.
- The government has said that the bill is necessary to improve the quality of medical education and practice in India.
- Some doctors and medical students oppose the bill. They argue that the bill would give the government too much control over the medical profession.
- It is not clear whether the bill will be passed.
The National Medical Council Bill, 2019 is a bill that was introduced in the Indian Parliament in December 2019. The bill seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, the National Medical Commission (NMC). The NMC would be responsible for regulating medical education and practice in India.
The bill has been controversial, with some doctors and medical students opposing it. They argue that the bill would lead to a decline in the quality of medical education in India. Others argue that the bill is necessary to improve the quality of medical education and practice in India.
The bill is currently being debated in the Indian Parliament. It is not clear when the bill will be passed or if it will be passed in its current form.
Here are some MCQs on the National Medical Council Bill:
- The National Medical Council Bill, 2019 seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, the National Medical Commission (NMC). True or False?
- The NMC would be responsible for regulating medical education and practice in India. True or False?
- The bill has been controversial, with some doctors and medical students opposing it. True or False?
- The bill is currently being debated in the Indian Parliament. True or False?
- It is not clear when the bill will be passed or if it will be passed in its current form. True or False?
Answers:
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True