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Context:  The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently issued new guidelines for the admission of persons with disabilities to undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses in India.

Details

• The guidelines specify the eligibility criteria, reservation policy, and assessment process for persons with disabilities who wish to apply for medical courses.

Aim

• The guidelines aim to ensure that the rights and interests of persons with disabilities are protected and that they have equal opportunities to pursue a career in medicine.

Disability and Reservation

• According to the guidelines, persons with disabilities are those who have a minimum of 40% disability as certified by a medical board.
• They are entitled to a 5% horizontal reservation in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses, as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• The guidelines also list the types of disabilities that are incompatible with medical education and practice, such as blindness, deafness, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and mental illness.

Medical Board

• The guidelines also lay down the procedure for the assessment of disability by a medical board, which consists of three specialists from different disciplines.
• The medical board will examine the candidates and issue a disability certificate based on the type and extent of disability.
• The certificate will also indicate whether the candidate is eligible for admission to a medical course or not.

Standards of physical and mental fitness

• The NMC has also prescribed the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness required for admission to medical courses.
• The guidelines state that candidates with disabilities should be able to perform the essential functions of a medical practitioner, such as history taking, physical examination, diagnosis, treatment, and communication.

Conclusion

• The NMC has stated that the new guidelines are following the principles of social justice and inclusion and that they will help in creating a diverse and competent medical workforce in the country. The guidelines have been welcomed by disability rights activists and experts, who have called them progressive and comprehensive.

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Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-act-2016

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following is/are the duties of the appropriate government under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016? 1. To ensure accessibility in public buildings and transport. 2. To provide free education to children with disabilities up to 18 years of age. 3. To provide a monthly allowance to persons with disabilities. 4. To promote research and development in assistive devices and technology. Choose the correct code; A) 1, 2 and 3 only B) 1, 2, and 4 only C) 2, 3 and 4 only D) 1, 2, 3 and 4  Answer: B Explanation: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ● The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is legislation passed by the Indian Parliament to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. ● The Act protects the rights of persons with disabilities and ensures their full and effective participation in society. The duties of the appropriate government under the Act ● Ensure accessibility in public buildings, transport, information and communication technology, consumer goods and services. ● Promoting and facilitating inclusive education, skill development and employment, social security, health, rehabilitation and recreation for persons with disabilities. ● To prevent abuse, violence and exploitation of persons with disabilities and provide them with legal aid and access to justice. ● To conduct awareness campaigns and social audits to sensitize the public about the rights of persons with disabilities.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/guidelines-in-medical-admission-for-the-disabled-from-progressive-to-restrictive-8623725/