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16th October, 2007
Dear Mr.
Prime Minister,
The quality, the quantity, distribution and availability of
human resources for the health sector in India at present, need to be improved
substantially to deliver care-driven, rural oriented and equitable health
services. Over the years, health related education and training has become
more urban oriented, doctor-centric and technology-driven. The environment of
medical education needs to be both nationally sensitive and globally
competitive. To realize these objectives, our medical education system needs
radical reforms.
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) therefore considered
it imperative to carry out a comprehensive appraisal of the system. For this
purpose, we constituted a Working Group which included some of the most
distinguished members of the medical profession in India, chaired by Dr. Sneha
Bhargava, former Director, AIIMS. The names of the members of the Working
Group are listed in the annexure. Based on the inputs provided by the Working
Group and our consultations with concerned stakeholders, we recommend the
following:
1. Regulation and
accreditation
- Regulation: At
present, medical education in India is regulated by the Medical Council of
India (MCI). This system of regulation is neither adequate nor appropriate to
meet the needs of the profession. Therefore, in conformity with our
recommendations on Higher Education, we propose constitution of a Standing
Committee within the structure of the Independent Regulatory Authority for
Higher Education (IRAHE). The primary function of the Standing Committee will
be to ensure that medical practice and teaching are updated and revised
regularly and minimum quality standards are maintained. The members of the
Standing Committee would include faculty from recognized universities,
practicing physicians, members of civil society, students and a director from
autonomous institutions representing educators. The Chairman and the members
of the Standing Committee would be accountable to IRAHE. The Standing
Committee would look into manpower planning and development based on
disease-profile, doctor-population ratio and skill-mix ratio.
- Professional
Councils: The Indian Medical Council Act should be amended such that MCI
functions only as a professional association, with powers to conduct
nationwide examinations, and to provide licenses for those who wish to join
the profession. Similar changes are needed for all the other Councils viz.
Nursing Council, Pharmacy Council, Dental Council and Rehabilitation Council
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