Medical Colleges can ensure compliance before admissions deadline, move NMC against Derecognition: NMC Member

New Delhi: Amid the reports of the derecognition of around 140 medical colleges across the country, a member of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Dr Rajeev Sood has assured that the decision of derecognition is not final and the colleges can always appeal before the competent authorities.

The NMC member has also informed Medical Dialogues that the medical colleges need not worry if they comply with all the rules and regulations of the Apex medical education regulatory body.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in a major crackdown over non-compliance to its mandated standards for imparting medical courses, the apex medical regulatory body, NMC has so far de-recognised around 40 medical colleges in the last two months. According to officials, about 100 other medical institutes are presently under the scanner and are likely to face the NMC action soon.

Speaking to the ANI, the official sources informed, “The action was taken on account of these institutions not complying with norms as well as lapses pertaining to faculty and security (CCTV) cameras.”

“About 40 medical colleges have lost recognition over the last one to two months period for not meeting the standards set by the NMC… A further 100 medical colleges in Puducherry, Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are also likely to lose recognition for not complying with the NMC's standards,” they stated.

However, speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Rajeev Sood, a member of NMC, has assured that derecognition of the medical colleges is not a new thing and the colleges can appeal against the decision.

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Referring to the reports of derecognition of several medical colleges, he mentioned, "More than 100 colleges have deficiencies. In most of the cases, it is because of biometric attendance and one by one these colleges are getting the reports."

"These colleges have to appeal to the Commission and under Section 28(6), 35(7) and 36(3), the colleges can either appeal to the National Medical Commission or the Union Health Ministry. So, during this process, they will get the time and if everything is found ti be alright then the colleges will continue to admit students," he added.

Mentioning that the colleges are one by one receiving the information about the deficiencies, he further added, "if they do not comply with the terms, they will be re-recognised. However, the colleges should expedite the process and ensure compliance within the deadline set by the Supreme Court for MBBS admission. Otherwise, they would not be able to admit students this year."

Recently, speaking to NDTV, Dr. Sood pointed out how assessment of the medical colleges is very important to ensure compliance regarding the number of faculty, infrastructure or biometric attendance. "Previously, it came to the notice that one faculty has been enrolled at two medical colleges. All these things need to be considered and these are rules and regulations. Colleges do not need to worry if they comply with these rules and regulations," he told the daily.

"Talks are underway for counseling and intake right now; students in the second, third, or fourth year have nothing to worry about," Dr. Sood told NDTV.