National Medical Commission: Health Ministry begins forming Medical Advisory Council, writes to State medical councils for Nominations

New Delhi: With the replacement of the Medical Council of India (MCI) with the National Medical Commission (NMC) finding the legislative as well as presidential assent, the Health Ministry has begun its work of constitution of the various bodies of the NMC. For the same, the Union Health Ministry recently wrote to the state medical council's to nominate representatives for the composition of the MAC in the NMC Act.

As the per the letter was written by the Under Secretary to the Govt. of India Health Ministry, Shri Amit Biswas to the president of the various state medical councils, the last date of submission of the nomination is 30th August 2019.

The newly passed NMC Act provides that the Central Government shall constitute an advisory body to be known as the Medical Advisory Council (MAC).

Constitution of Medical Advisory Council (MAC)

The Council shall consist of a Chairperson and the following members, namely:—

(a) the Chairperson of the Commission shall be the ex officio Chairperson of the Council;

(b) every member of the Commission shall be the ex officio members of the Council;

(c) one member to represent each State, who is the Vice-Chancellor of a health University in that State, to be nominated by that State Government;

(d) one member to represent each Union territory, who is the Vice-Chancellor of a health University in that Union territory, to be nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India;

(e) one member to represent each State and each Union territory from amongst elected members of the State Medical Council, to be nominated by that State Medical Council;

(f) the Chairman, University Grants Commission;

(g) the Director, National Assessment and Accreditation Council;

(h) four members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons holding the post of Director in the Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management and the Indian Institute of Science

Provided that if there is no health University in any State or Union territory, the Vice-Chancellor of a University within that State or Union territory having the largest number of medical colleges affiliated to it shall be nominated by the State Government or by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India:

Provided further that if there is no University in any Union territory, the Ministry of Home Affairs shall nominate a member who possesses such medical qualification and experience as may be prescribed.

Functions of the Medical Advisory Council

As per the NMC act, the MAC will be responsible for the following functions

12. (1) The Council shall be the primary platform through which the States and Union territories may put forth their views and concerns before the Commission and help in shaping the overall agenda, policy and action relating to medical education and training.

(2) The Council shall advise the Commission on measures to determine and maintain, and to co-ordinate maintenance of, the minimum standards in all matters relating to medical education, training and research.

(3) The Council shall advise the Commission on measures to enhance equitable access to medical education.

The NMC Act adds that the Medical Advisory Council shall meet at least twice a year at such time and place as may be decided by the Chairperson.The Chairperson shall preside at the meeting of the Council and if for any reason the Chairperson is unable to attend a meeting of the Council, such other member as nominated by the Chairperson shall preside over the meeting.

Unless the procedure is otherwise provided by regulations, fifty per cent. of the members of the Council including the Chairperson shall form the quorum and all acts of the Council shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting, it further states