MD-DNB equivalence: Cabinet approves Amendments to the National Medical Commission Bill 2019, Details

Under the new Act, DNB degrees from 500 bedded plus hospitals will be equivalent to their MD/MS/DM/Mch counterpart “for the purposes of teaching also”.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the amendments/changes in the National Medical Commission Bill, 2019. The original version of the Bill was approved by the Cabinet on 17th July 2019 and was passed in both Houses of the Parliament on 29th July 2019 and 1st August 2019 respectively, with official amendments.

The amendments, in particular, made changes and increments in the composition of the National Medical Commission which will be the apex body for the medical fraternity. Moreover, bringing joy to DNB candidates across the country, one of the amendments clearly establishes that under the new Act, DNB degrees from 500 bedded plus hospitals will be equivalent to their MD/MS/DM/Mch counterpart “for the purposes of teaching also”.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that following a series of debates and objections to several clauses, the upper house of the parliament had given its nod to the National Medical Commission Bill (NMC Bill) calling for MCI replacement, albeit with certain amendments

The bill was passed after the se-by-clause vote was taken on the NMC Bill in Rajya Sabha. Many amendments had been proposed and accepted during the house session

The following changes have been made in the National Medical Commission Bill, 2019 passed by the Parliament from the version that was approved by the Cabinet on 17th July 2019 and the Cabinet was apprised of these changes:

Read Also: National Medical Commission Bill Passed in Rajya Sabha With amendments

CHANGE- Clause 4(1)(c) –Twenty-two part-time Members instead of fourteen members

Clause 4(1)(c) talks about the basic composition of the National Medical Commission. As per the original Bill,the Commission shall consist of the following persons to be appointed by the Central Government, namely the Chairperson; ex officio Members; part-time Members;

Now, with the amendment, the strength of the part-time members has been increased from 14 to 22.

CHANGE-Clause 4(4)(b) – ten members instead of six members

Clause 4(4) of the bill deals with the constitution of the part-time Members

Clause 4(4) (b) earlier stated that 6 Members to be appointed on rotational basis from amongst the nominees of the States and Union territories in the Medical Advisory Council for a term of two years in such manner as may be prescribed. This number, which effectively are the state nominees, has now been increased to 10 state nominees

Clause 4(4)(c) – nine members instead of five members

Clause 4 (4)(c) deals with the Members to be appointed from amongst the nominees of the States and Union territories, under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 11, in the medical Advisory Council for a term of two years in such manner as may be prescribed

This number which was earlier 5 has now been increased t0 9

Clause 37(2) – added at the end “for the purposes of teaching also”.

This clause effectively deals with the qualifications of the Diplomate National Board (DNB). Perhaps the most important amendment from the point of view of the medical fraternity, the amendment specifically gives recognition to the certain DNB degree as equivalent to their MD/MS/DM/Mch counterpart “for the purposes of teaching also”.

The amended qualification reads

The Diplomate of National Board in broad-speciality qualifications and super speciality qualifications when granted in a medical institution with attached hospital or in a hospital with the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the National Board of Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the corresponding postgraduate qualification and the super-speciality qualification granted under this Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical college for an additional period of one year shall be required for such qualification to be equivalent for the purposes of teaching also

Read Also: NEXT to become Reality: National Medical Commission Bill gets Lok Sabha Nod