The government of India has decided to shut down Medical Council of India and bring the new National Medical Commission in its place to correct the whole medical ecosystem. Recently cabinet has approved the new bill to replace MCI with NMC.
After approval of the parliament and President’s signature, the bill will bring NMC into existence to become the main regulatory body and take over all roles and responsibilities of the MCI. Currently, the MCI is a statutory body for establishing uniform and high standards of medical education in India.
The bill is considered to enable a forward movement in the area of medical education reform. This new bill will replace the Medical Council 1956 Act.
Committee’s Recommendation
This move of government came after a suggestion from a high-level committee headed by Niti Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagariya. The four-member panel was to look into the issue of poor regulation of medical education by MCI. Others members were Prime Ministers Additional Principal Secretary PK Mishra, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and Health Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma.
Structure of National Medical Commission
There will be 25 members in NMC.
- 1 Chairman
- 1 Member Secretary
- 12 Ex-Officio Members
- 11 Part-time Members
Ex-officio members of NMC
- Four presidents of boards
- DGHS
- DG (ICMR)
- Dir (AIIMS, New Delhi)
- Nominee of Ministry
- Nominees of PGI Chandigarh
- Nominees of JIPMER Puducherry
- Nominees of TMCH Mumbai and
- Nominees of NEIGRIHMS Shillong
Part-time members of NMC
- 3 members from management, economy, law, consumer rights, health research, science and technology
- 3 members from the Medical Advisory Council
- 5 elected medical persons
It must be noted that at least 16 and up to 22 of the 25 members of NMC would be medical professionals. The selection of members will be done by a search committee chaired by Cabinet Secretary.
Features of New National Medical Commission Bill
The new bill will move the approach towards outcome-based regulation of medical education rather than process oriented regulation.
It will ensure proper separation of functions within the regulator by having autonomous boards.
It will create accountable and transparent procedures for maintaining standards in Medical Education.
It will create a forward-looking approach towards ensuring sufficient health workforce in India.
It will end heavy-handed regulatory control over medical education institutions and a shift towards outcome-based monitoring.