CCTV Mandatory: NMC directs all medical institutes to install cameras, prescribes list
New Delhi: With an aim to amp up the regulatory measures including the development of a potent monitoring mechanism bringing more transparency and accountability in the functioning of medical institutions across the country, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all medical colleges to install cameras at their premises. Accordingly, the apex medical regulator has released a list of prescribed spots and the number of cameras to be installed.
The advisory to this effect issued under the authority of the NMC Chairman, Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma calls for the installation of a total of 25 CCTV cameras on the campus.
As per the NMC advisory, out of the total number of cameras recommended for installation, the medical institutes have been directed to install one at the main entrance of the hospital and college, two at the patient registration centre, and five at the OPDs (depending on the number of OPDs in the medical college but it should cover medicine OPD, surgical OPD, gynaecological OPD, paediatrics OPD, ortho OPD etc).
Besides, it has recommended the installation of two cameras at the pre-anaesthesia area and recovery area in the operation theatre complex, two at the faculty lounge and attendance-making area, five at all five lecture theatres, one at the anatomy dissection hall, two each at the physiology lab/bio-chemistry UG labs and pathology and microbiology labs and one each at the pharmacology lab, patient attendant waiting-area and emergency and casualty ward.
This move is evidently in continuation of the digital mission mode project being run by the National Medical Commission and the erstwhile Medical Council of India to ensure and monitor the availability of an adequate number of patients, and teaching faculty as well as to monitor regular teaching programs in the medical colleges.
"This is a step forward towards developing a robust monitoring mechanism and providing for transparency and accountability in functioning of medical colleges… If utilised properly, this would also be a way forward for digitisation of the assessment process for approvals being granted to medical colleges either for enhancement of undergraduate courses or starting or enhancement of post graduate courses," stated the official sources, as quoted by the PTI.
"Use of such technology and artificial intelligence would make assessments and instructions transparent and an ongoing process instead of the current one time process," an official source further said.
The NMC advisory states:
All Medical Colleges and Institutions are hereby advised to install cameras in their institute premises at the following prescribed places with suggested numbers of cameras:-
| Sr. No. | Prescribed Places for Camera Installation | Prescribed Numbers of Cameras to be installed |
| 1 | Main Entrance of the Hospital & College | 1 |
| 2 | Patient Registration Counter | 2 |
| 3 | OPDs (depending upon number of OPDs in the college); It should cover the Medicine OPD, Surgical OPD, Gynaecological OPD, Paediatrics OPD, Ortho OPD etc. | 5 |
| 4 | Pre anesthesia area and recovery area in the operation theatre complex | 2 |
| 5 | Faculty Lounge and Attendance marking area | 2 |
| 6 | All 5 Lecture Theatres | 5 |
| 7 | Anatomy Dissection Hall | 1 |
| 8 | Physiology Lab/Bio Chemistry UG Labs | 2 |
| 9 | Patho and Micro Biology Labs | 2 |
| 10 | Pharmacology Lab | 1 |
| 11 | Patient Attendant waiting area | 1 |
| 12 | Emergency and Casualty Ward | 1 |
| Total | 25 |
The NMC further recommended the specifications of the required cameras and stated:
Suggesting specifications of the cameras to be installed are as under:-
a. DVR with High Procession Power, with networking for remote accessibility, recommended with 16 channels
b. CCTV cameras with 4K resolution
To view the official NMC advisory, Click here
Earlier, noting that due to the non-availability of slots for the Basic Course in Medical Education Technology (BCMET), many faculty were not getting promoted, the NMC announced a relaxation on the completion of the course for one year.
Granting this breather, the NMC has permitted promotion to all faculties of PG (MD/MS) and Super Speciality (DM/MCh) Courses without the compulsory completion of the BCMET course. However, the NMC imposed a rider on this allowance and mandated that all such faculty availing of this relaxation will have to complete the said course within three years from the date of promotion. Besides, the faculty who have already been promoted earlier on such relaxation will also have to complete the course within three years from the date of promotion.
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