Decide on IGNOU PGDCC recognition urgently: Health Ministry tells MCI Board of Governors

New Delhi: The issue of recognition of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology (PGDCC) from IGNOU has once again come to the desk of Medical Council of India Board of Governors (MCI BOG) as the Health Ministry has asked the apex medical education regulator to provide recommendations on the matter urgently

The decision holds the fate of more than 2500 PGDCC candidates whose postgraduate degree in Cardiology remains unrecognized by the council.

Developments Till Now

PGDCC course was commenced, in 2006, by the IGNOU, to develop a cadre of non-interventional cardiologists, and involved a "two-year full time rigorous training in top cardiac hospitals in the country". In order to be eligible to apply for the PGDCC course, a candidate was required to have an MBBS degree.

However, despite thousands of candidates clearing the course, MCI noted that the IGNOU had commenced the PGDCC course in blatant violation of the applicable rules and regulations of medical education and that, therefore, there could be no question of according any recognition to the said course.

The same issue was raised in the parliament as well when MOS health confirmed that Board of Governors – MCI has not recognized Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology of Indira Gandhi National Open University as permission for the said course was not granted by the Central Government / MCI under section 10A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

Read Also: IGNOU PGDCC not recognised by MCI Board of Governors: Health Minister tells parliament

Seeking Respite in the matter, Association of Clinical Cardiologists, an association of more than 2000 PGDCC candidates approached the Delhi High court seeking relief

High Court Order

The Delhi HC went in detail the submissions made by the doctors, the MCI, IGNOU as well as central government in the matter. After going through the submissions in detail, the court noted that this was a catch-22 situation. The court clearly noted that it is not an arbiter of the quality of the PGDCC course and hence it has no say in the decision of whether PGDCC should be a recognised qualification or not clearly implying that the final decision rests with the MCI as well as central government.

However the court, however, noted that there was nothing wrong with IGNOU first starting the course and then applying to govt for recognition, quashing the MCI decision of not considering the application of IGNOU regarding degree recognition

Resultantly, the decision of the respondents (MCI), not to consider the application, of the IGNOU, for recognition of the PGDCC qualification, awarded by it, on the ground that, before commencing the PGDCC course, the IGNOU had not obtained prior permission of the Central Government, under Section 10A of the IMC Act, therefore, cannot sustain statutory scrutiny and is, accordingly, quashed.

The court then directed the authorities to reconsider the matter of PGDCC recognition

Read Also: MCI recognition of PGDCC from IGNOU: Delhi HC directs Council, Centre to reconsider

IGNOU Reapplication with Health Ministry

Taking a cue from the recent most Delhi High court decision on the matter, Director, IGNOU in November 2019, made a fresh application with the Union Health Ministry, in connection to recognition of Diploma in Clinical Cardiology (PGDCC) qualification which was awarded by IGNOU from from 2006-2013 under section 11(2) of the IMC Act, 1956, quoting the relevant part of the Delhi HC judgement

"….the respondents, i.e. the Central Government anal the IGNOU — are directed to consider, afresh, the application, of the IGNOU, for grant of recognition to the PGDCC qualification, awarded by it, under Section 11(2) of the IMC Act. This Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the said application, or on whether the PGDCC qualification deserves, or does not deserve, to be recognised under Section 11(2). That decision would have to be taken by the Central Government, after consulting the MCI, on its own merits. Needless to say the preeminent consideration, while examining the application of the IGNOU, would have to be fostering of excellence in me medical education, aimed at bringing, into the world, medical professionals, were able to render the optimum service to the public, in the best interest of society….."

Health Ministry forwards application to MCI

Following the IGNOU application, the Health Ministry has now forwarded the application to the MCI for the final decision on the matter.

" The application of the IGNOU dated 04.11.2019 has been considered by this Ministry and it has been decided that the matter May be referred to the Board of governors — Medical Council of india (BOG-MCI) for examining the matter as Per directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi and furnishing inputs/ considered views to the Ministry," said P.k Bandyopadhyay, Under Secretary to the Government of India in his letter to the MCI Board of governors

"Accordingly BoG-MCI, is therefore, requested to furnish there Considered views/ recommendations to this Ministry urgently," the letter added

Read Also: MBBS with IGNOU PGDCC performing Echo: Hospital fined Rs 20 lakh