The National Medical Commission Act, 2019 is the biggest reform made in the field of medical science, that shall make quality medical care more accessible to the people.
This Act came into existence on 8th August 2019 when President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the National Medical Commission Bill and has been made with the intent to make major changes in the medical education system and to standardize the quality to be maintained in medical education. The Medical Council of India was replaced by the National Medical Commission on 25 September 2020.
Needs of National Medical Commission Act:
- Before the NMC act, the body in charge of regulating the medical profession i.e MCI has faced numerous corruption scandals.
- In order to rectify the poor functioning of public healthcare systems in rural areas, the NMC may grant limited license to practice medicine at mid-level as Community Health Provider.
- To broaden the opportunity for the aspirants from all sections of the society, to undertake medical education, NMC will determine fees for 50% of the seats in private medical colleges and deemed universities
NEET Exam Highlights:
| NMC Act | MCI Act |
|---|---|
| The Governing body under the NMC Act is the NMC, and all the members of the NMC will be appointed or nominated by the Central Government. | The Governing body under the IMC Act is the MCI, and the members of MCI are majorly elected from the members of the medical faculty of Universities and State Medical Registers. |
| Section 5 of the NMC act provides a group of the seven-member search committee, including the Chairperson, part-time Members (in terms of Section 4(1) and 4(4)(a) of the NMC Act) and the Secretary (in terms of Section 8 of the NMC Act), shall be appointed by the Central Government upon the recommendation of the search committee. | No such provision is provided under the MCI Act. |
| Section 6(6) of this act defines that the Chairperson and each member of the NMC shall make a declaration of his assets and liabilities at the time of entering and leaving office. | No such provision is provided under the MCI Act. |
| Section 6(7) of this act provides that the Chairperson or members, post leaving the respective offices, shall not accept any employment for a period of two years. | No such provision is provided under the MCI Act. |
| Section 15 of this act provides for a National Exit Test, this will be a common exit exam that would serve as a Licentiate Exam, for entrance to Post Graduate medical course and as a screening test of international medical graduates. | No such provision is provided under the MCI Act.z |
The main aim of this act was to reduce the burden on the medical aspirants, by providing affordable and high standard medical education. And also to ensure the availability of high-quality medical professionals in all parts of the country. This act also provides better access to quality healthcare infrastructure and professionals.
During times like these when diseases are raging in society, doctors and other medical professionals are our only saviors. The present facilities and poor pay in government facilities are driving our aspirants/doctors outside the country to look for better opportunities. A good education system will enable us to bring out higher-quality doctors and medical health professionals.