In recent news, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced a significant change by relaxing its norms for the internship of foreign medical graduates (FMGs). This decision comes as a relief for students who are in the final year of their studies and had to return to India due to various reasons, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The new regulations aim to facilitate the integration of FMGs into the Indian medical system, enabling them to gain practical experience and seek licenses for medical practice.
Understanding the Norms
The term “Foreign Medical Graduate” refers to an individual who does not hold a basic graduation or primary qualification (undergraduate medical degree) from any university, medical college, or institution in India but desires to practice medicine in India. The relaxation of norms for FMGs’ internships is a one-time measure designed to address the unique circumstances faced by these individuals.
Key Changes Implemented
- Internship at non-teaching hospitals: FMGs who have successfully passed their screening test are now permitted to undergo their internship at non-teaching hospitals and recognized non-teaching hospitals. This opportunity allows them to acquire hands-on experience in a real medical setting.
- Involvement of state medical councils: The allocation of FMGs to these non-teaching hospitals will be facilitated through the respective state medical councils. This ensures that the process is regulated and conducted in a structured manner.
National Medical Commission: An Overview
The National Medical Commission was established through the National Medical Commission Act of 2019, which came into force in 2020. This act dissolved the Board of Governors that superseded the Medical Council of India under the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956. The NMC comprises several autonomous boards responsible for different aspects of medical education and regulation. These boards include the Undergraduate Medical Education Board, Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and Ethics and Medical Registration Board.
Functions of the National Medical Commission
The NMC has been entrusted with several important functions to ensure the maintenance of high-quality medical education and professional standards. Some of its key responsibilities include:
- Policy formulation and regulation: The commission is responsible for establishing policies to maintain high standards in medical education and to regulate medical institutions, research, and professionals. It formulates necessary regulations to ensure compliance with these policies.
- Assessment and planning: The NMC assesses the healthcare requirements, including human resources and infrastructure, and develops a roadmap to address these needs effectively.
- Coordination and guidelines: It promotes coordination among the autonomous boards and develops guidelines for their functioning. Additionally, the NMC collaborates with state medical councils to ensure compliance with regulations and guidelines.
- Appellate jurisdiction: The commission exercises appellate jurisdiction over decisions made by the autonomous boards, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
- Professional ethics: The NMC plays a vital role in framing policies and codes that promote the observance of professional ethics within the medical profession. These guidelines contribute to the provision of ethical care by medical practitioners.
- Fee determination: It establishes guidelines for the determination of fees and other charges for fifty percent of seats in private medical institutions and deemed universities governed under the provisions of the NMC Act.
Important Points:
- The National Medical Commission (NMC) has relaxed internship norms for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) 🌟
- FMGs can now intern at non-teaching hospitals and recognized non-teaching hospitals 🏥
- This relaxation is a one-time measure to support FMGs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other circumstances 🌍
- State medical councils will be responsible for allocating FMGs to these hospitals 🏢
- The NMC was established through the National Medical Commission Act of 2019 📜
- The NMC replaced the Board of Governors in supersession of the Medical Council of India 🚩
- The NMC comprises autonomous boards such as Undergraduate Medical Education, Post-Graduate Medical Education, Medical Assessment and Rating, and Ethics and Medical Registration 📚
- The NMC’s functions include laying down policies for maintaining high-quality medical education, regulating medical institutions and professionals, and assessing healthcare requirements 📋
- The NMC promotes coordination among autonomous boards and ensures compliance with guidelines and regulations ⚙️
- It exercises appellate jurisdiction over decisions made by autonomous boards, frames policies for professional ethics, and determines fees for private medical institutions and deemed universities 💼
Why In News
In a notable development, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced a one-year relaxation in the internship norms for foreign medical graduates (FMGs). FMGs, defined as individuals without a basic graduation or primary qualification in medicine from any Indian university or medical institution, can now pursue internships as a stepping stone towards obtaining a license for medical practice in India.
MCQs about NMC Norms for FMGs in India
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What is the purpose of the National Medical Commission (NMC) relaxing internship norms for foreign medical graduates (FMGs)?
A. To provide FMGs with additional financial support
B. To facilitate the integration of FMGs into the Indian medical system
C. To restrict the practice of medicine by FMGs in India
D. To prioritize Indian medical graduates over FMGs
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Who are considered “Foreign Medical Graduates” according to the essay?
A. Individuals who have completed their medical education in India
B. Individuals who have a primary qualification from any Indian university or medical institution
C. Individuals who have a basic graduation degree from any university in the world
D. Individuals without a primary qualification from any Indian university or medical institution
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How are FMGs allowed to intern under the relaxed norms?
A. Only at teaching hospitals
B. Only at non-teaching hospitals
C. Only at recognized non-teaching hospitals
D. Both at non-teaching hospitals and recognized non-teaching hospitals
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Who is responsible for allocating FMGs to non-teaching hospitals under the new norms?
A. National Medical Commission (NMC)
B. Medical Council of India
C. State medical councils
D. Undergraduate Medical Education Board
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