Ensure availability of observers, participants before sending proposal: NMC issues guidelines for revised basic course workshop

New Delhi: Taking note of the frequent requests to change the participants/observers in Revised Basic Course Workshop (rBCW) at various Medical Colleges, the National Medical Commission has now laid down certain guidelines in this regard.

As per the new guidelines issued by President of the UG Medical Education Board (UGMEB), Dr Aruna Vanikar, now the concerned Nodal and Regional Centers and the medical colleges must ensure the availability of observer and participants before sending the proposal to NMC. Even in case of changing the observer and participant at any later stage, the NMC Board should submit a proposal in this regard at least three days before the commencement of the rBCW.

NMC has also clarified that permission will not be granted for replacing more than 3 participants. In fact, if proposal for changing more than three participants is received in UGMEB, thrice or more in a calendar year, NMC will take action against the concerned RC/NC.

These guidelines have been issued by the Apex medical commission after taking note of the requests for changing the observer and participants on regular basis.

Referring to this, NMC Academic Cell mentioned in the recent notice dated 21.02.2023, "As per laid down instructions/guidelines issued by NMC, the Nodal and Regional Centers are sending proposal with list of participants, faculties and nominated Observer, to UGMEB, NMC for seeking permission to conduct Revised Basic Course Workshop (rBCW) at various Medical Colleges. The proposal, fulfilling requisite terms & conditions, is being accepted and accordingly permission is granted to conduct such rBCW. However, of late, it is observed that after granting permission to conduct rBCW, the NCs/RCs are sending proposals frequently to change the name of Observer and participants in a very routine manner."

"At times, the requests are made to change the participants at a large scale even more than 1/3rd of the total participants earlier approved. This is not a healthy practice and shows a lackadaisical and unplanned approach towards conducting rBCW by the RC/NC/Medical College. Un-deniably, under emergent and unavoidable situation, changes in the name of Observer or participant(s) may be essential, but this practice should not be adopted in a routine manner," further noted the Commission.

To curb such undesirable and unjustifiable practice the following guidelines/instructions are issued for strict compliance by all the concerned: