The latest update about the much-talked National Medical Commission Bill is that it has been approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. National Medical Commission Bill is expected to replace the much-criticized Medical Council of India, following the recommendations by a parliamentary committee.
Many amendments have been incorporated within the bill which also includes strict punishment for any wrongdoing. It further illustrates the concept of removal of bridge courses to enable non-allopathic doctors to practice medicine. Furthermore, regulated fees for at least 50% of seats at the deemed university which was only 40% earlier have been ascertained, to facilitate the students.
Multiple recommendations placed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee have been considered by the government related to Health & Family Welfare on March 20, as stated in a press release about the cabinet approval. It further clarifies that the recommendations are primarily the viewpoint and perceptions of medical students and practitioners.
The parliamentary committee has recommended the bill to the Lok Sabha on the 2nd of January, this year.
This amendment further simplifies the implication for any unauthorized practice of medicine and would involve severe repercussions ranging from one-year-long imprisonment with a fine of up to INR 5 lac.
The cabinet of ministers has also scrapped the possibility of any crash/bridge course for AYUSH practitioners and enabled them to prescribe allopathic medicines.
The bill also requires the colleges to include “all the other charges” in a declared fee structure.
The National Exit Test abbreviated as NEXT would make the final year MBBS examination students eligible to be declared medicine practitioners nationwide.
Any non-compliant medical college will not be charged with any kind of financial burden on the college henceforth, as proposed by the NMC bill.
