NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION BILL 2022

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• The Union Health Ministry has introduced the draft National Medical Commission Bill 2022.

Key Point of the Draft

• The Draft proposed to merge the existing National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBES) as an autonomous board under the National Medical Commission.
• Amend the existing Act so that all cases by medical colleges in matters related to the National Medical Commission (NMC) should be under the jurisdiction of the high court of Delhi instead of the current practice of filing pleas in high courts in different states.
• Introduce amendment in the National Medical Commission Act 2019 to include provisions for setting up a 5th autonomous board; the Board of Examinations in the Medical Sciences under the NMC to conduct the National Exit Test for all post-graduation and super-speciality courses.
  • It will also conduct screening tests for foreign medical graduates.

National Medical Commission Act, 2019

• The National Medical Commission act replaced the Indian Medical Council Act, of 1956
• The main objective of the act is to ensure:
  • 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.
• It established the National Medical Commission (NMC).
  • The state governments to establish State Medical Councils at the state level.
  • The NMC consist of 25 members, appointed by the central government.
• Functions of the NMC:
  • Framing policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals.
  • Assessing the requirements of healthcare-related human resources and infrastructure.
  • Ensuring compliance by the State Medical Councils with the regulations made under the Bill.
  • Framing guidelines for the determination of fees for up to 50% of the seats in private medical institutions and deemed universities which are regulated under the Bill.
• The act established 4 autonomous boards under the supervision of the NMC. Each autonomous board will consist of a President and four members, appointed by the central government. These boards are:
  • The Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB): Responsible for formulating standards, curriculum, and guidelines, and granting recognition to medical qualifications at the undergraduate level.
  • The Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB): Responsible for formulating standards, curriculum, and guidelines, and granting recognition to medical qualifications at the post-graduate level.
  • The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB): Power to grant permission for establishing a new medical college, starting any postgraduate course, or increasing the number of seats.
  • The Ethics and Medical Registration Board: To maintain a National Register of all licensed medical practitioners, and regulate professional conduct.
    • Only those included in the Register will be allowed to practice medicine.
  • The NMC may grant a limited license to certain mid-level practitioners connected with the modern medical profession to practice medicine.
    • These mid-level practitioners may prescribe specified medicines in primary and preventive healthcare; these practitioners may only prescribe medicines under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner.
  • A uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to undergraduate and post-graduate super-speciality medical education in all medical institutions regulated.
  • A common final year undergraduate examination called the National Exit Test for the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain a license for the practice.
    • This test will also serve as the basis for admission into post-graduate courses at medical institutions under this Bill.

https://indianexpress.com/article/education/next-govt-new-nmc-board-for-new-exam-existing-body-dissolved-fmge-neet-pg-8359047/