From Ragging to Stipend issues: Here's what was discussed at NMC Task Force meeting today

New Delhi: The National Task Force, constituted by the Anti-Ragging Cell of the National Medical Commission (NMC), conducted its meeting today with the stakeholders to discuss the issues related to the mental health and well-being of medical students.

The Chairman of the Apex Medical Regulator Dr. B.N. Gangadhar and other members including the President of the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), Dr. Aruna V Vanikar, the President of the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) Dr. Vijay Oza, member of NMC Ethics Board, Dr. Yogender Malik, NMC Secretary Dr. B. Srinivas and Deputy Secretary Dr. Aujender Singh. The Chairman of the National Task Force, Dr. B.M Suresh, Professor of the Department of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, and a representative from the University Grants Association (UGC), Alka Tomar were also present in the meeting.

Among the stakeholders, several representatives from the resident doctors' associations across the country attended the meeting including Dr. Rohan Krishnan, the National Chairman of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), Dr. Aviral Mathur, the President of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association, Dr. Prajwal from RDA Rohtak and Dr. Sajith. S.L., the Vice-President of ADAMS. While these doctors marked their presence in the physical mode of the meeting, hundreds of other stakeholders including UG/PG medical students, parents of medical students, medical college faculties attended the meeting online.

Raising the issues faced by the resident doctors before the Apex Medical Commission, Dr. Rohan Krishnan referred to the toxicity that the students sometimes face from their seniors. He suggested that the National Task Force should start a direct channel to know what the students are going through. Dr. Krishnan also pointed out how the issue of the seat-leaving penalty puts pressure on the medical students and opined that there should be a free exit.

Also Read: NMC National Task Force to Hold Meeting to Discuss Mental Health and Well-being of Medical Students

Dr. Aviral Mathur highlighted the issue of bond policy. Referring to the District Residency Programme (DRP), Dr. Mathur pointed out that during the District Residency, the doctors are catering to the district hospitals. Therefore, he pointed out that DRP is substituting the bond service to some extent and suggested that considering this fact, the tenure of the bond service should be reduced.

He also urged the authorities to ensure that CGHS/DGHS facilities are also extended to resident doctors. Dr. Mathur further suggested increasing the number of contractual posts. Pointing out that the duration of such posts is 44 days in some of the institutes, he opined that the tenure should be further extended. He also discussed the issue of leaves granted to the resident doctors.

Dr. Prajwal also suggested the issue of granting a vacation to the PG medical students. He said that giving vacation to the PG students allows them to visit their families or do something they like which ultimately helps them mentally. He also opined that the concept of HRA should be implemented in all Government institutes, especially where the hostel facilities are substandard. He then suggested ensuring mandatory incentivization of the DRP postings.

From Kerala, Dr. Sajith. S.L., the Vice-President of the Association of Doctors And Medical Students (ADAMS), spoke about the issues of long duty hours for the PG medical students pointing out that it affects their mental health. Apart from this, he also referred to the problems faced by UG interns because of the minimal stipend amount. He pointed out that FMG interns do not get any stipend and some private medical colleges are imposing illegal charges on the FMGs to enrol them into the internship programme.

Alka Tomar, the representative from the UGC was also present in the meeting. She pointed out that 30% of the entire ragging incidents in the country are happening in medical colleges. Referring to the incidents of suicides, she opined that even one life, that is lost is not acceptable.

Dr. B. M Suresh discussed the statistics of the number of suicides in India and talked about various issues related to mental health. He also informed the stakeholders how the National Task Force has been visiting the UG and PG medical colleges to meet the students and talk to them about the issues they face.

Dr. Aruna V Vanikar, the President of the NMC UG Board stressed on the importance of mental health of medical students as well as their physical health. She referred to the Mentor-Mentee Programme, highlighting that introducing this programme can ensure that junior medical students are being cared for by their seniors. 

Referring to the issue of leaves specified in the NMC regulations, the president of the NMC PG Board, Dr. Oza clarified that 20 days of leave mentioned in the regulations is the minimum number of days of leave that should be granted. However, it can be much more in any specific institute.

Clarifying on this, Dr. Srinivas informed that NMC received around 37,000 responses from the stakeholders and the main issue raised by the doctors was regarding the working hours. He assured that 30 days of leave rules in the central government institutes, 30 days of leave rules will continue. 

Regarding the issue of bond policy, Dr. Srinivas said that NMC is not in favour of bonds. However, pointing out that this is a State issue, he mentioned that NMC cannot enforce it. However, he added that NMC recommended to the Ministry that the bond should be removed.

The member of the NMC Ethics Board, Dr. Yogender Malik informed that this is the first time the resident doctors and students are also being included in the policy-making process. Informing that NMC wants the active participation of all of its stakeholders, he assured that whenever NMC introduces a policy, it is done only after extensive discussions with all the stakeholders. 

Finally, NMC informed that the Task Force's recommendations are going to be finalised very soon. Referring to the suggestions received from the stakeholders online, Dr Malik added that the Task Force will take care of these suggestions while finalising its recommendations.

Also Read: Responses Pour in for NMC Task Force Meeting on Mental Well-Being of Medical Students