Allow Internships at Non-Teaching Hospitals: FMGs Urge NMC

New Delhi: Highlighting the lack of availability of internship seats, the foreign medical graduates have urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) to allow FMGs to undergo the mandatory internship at non-teaching hospitals as well.

In an email addressed to the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body, the All FMGs Association (AFA) pointed out that the current available seats in teaching hospitals are not sufficient to accommodate the number of qualified medical graduates from abroad. Due to this, several foreign medical graduates in the State are facing uncertainty and professional stagnation, the association argued. 

Further, the association also referred to the other challenges faced by the FMGs including the extension of the internship period from two to three years and delay in initiation by the State Medical Councils (SMCs).

Referring to the challenges faced by FMGs in securing internship positions within many States, the association mentioned in the letter addressed to NMC, "As you are aware, the current availability of internship seats in teaching hospitals is not sufficient to accommodate the number of qualified graduates. This has created a bottleneck, preventing many from completing their mandatory internships and, consequently, from practicing medicine."

"The crux of the issue lies in the limited number of teaching hospitals designated for internships, which is further exacerbated by the extended duration of internships, ranging from two to three years. This situation has left a considerable number of foreign medical graduates in a state of uncertainty and professional stagnation," the association further mentioned.

Also Read: Limited Internship Seats, Thousands of FMGE graduates facing Uncertain Future

AFA opined that including non-teaching hospitals as recognized venues for completing internship programs may provide a solution to the problem. "Non-teaching hospitals, many of which provide services comparable to their teaching counterparts, can offer a wealth of practical experience to interns. we can alleviate the current shortage of internship positions and ensure that all graduates have the opportunity to fulfill their internship requirements in a timely manner," the association mentioned in the letter.

"The integration of non-teaching hospitals into the internship framework would not only benefit the graduates but also enhance the healthcare services provided to the community, as these hospitals are often situated in areas with limited access to medical care," it further added.

AFA has urged the National Medical Commission to consider its proposal and take decision action to address the plights of the FMGs, adding that the Commission's support in the matter is crucial for the future of many aspiring medical professionals and the overall well-being of our healthcare system.

A copy of the email sent to NMC was shared by AFA on X (formerly Twitter). The association also shared a letter from the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) to NMC seeking validation of FMG internship in Non-Teaching hospitals.

In the letter dated 10.04.2024, DMC mentioned, "With reference to subject noted above, it is stated that subsequent to the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) result declared in February, 2024, by National Board of Examinations, 230 individuals belonging to Delhi ( having the passport & Aadhar Card of Delhi ) applied to start she internship in various medical college/institutions in Delhi. It is stated that more than 1000 students arc desimus of starting intemship in Delhi but we called the applications only from 1)elhi Domicile individuals. Further, as per the information received from various medical colleges/institutions in Delhi. there are only 60 seats available in the current scenario for being allotted for internship training. By seeing the number of seats and number of applications received wc will not he able to provide internship even to FMGE belonging to Delhi."

"In view of the above and to accommodate the large number of the applicants for the purpose of undergoing internship, it is requested that they may be allowed to undergo internship training in Non-Teaching institute as it was done in last year. so that these students interest is not jeopardized," DMC further mentioned in the letter.

Sharing these letters, AFA mentioned in an X post, "Why are foreign medical graduates increasingly facing challenges? The National Medical Commission initially required a 2-year internship, but later introduced a 3-year internship. Now there are additional delays of 5-8 months by SMCs to initiate the internship. Many state councils are facing a shortage of internship seats. Recently, the DMC(@GirishTyagiDMC) and other councils have suggested allowing non-teaching hospitals to accommodate more FMGs, but the @NMC_IND response is still pending. We request to @NMC_IND @dryogendermalik kindly consider this serious concern and allow non teaching hospitals for internship ."

Medical Dialogues had last year reported that around 2,000 FMG doctors were facing problems in getting enrolled into an internship programme. In the case of Rajasthan alone, only around 30 percent of the total students, who cleared the mandatory FMGE test in January secured a seat for Internship. Earlier, Rajasthan Medical Council only held counselling for filling only 399 seats while the state almost had approximately 2,000 FMG internship seats. 966 of the 1,365 exam-qualified candidates were still waiting for an internship seat.

Also Read: Limited Seats for FMG Internship: FORDA raises matter to NMC, assures solution in one week 

Last year, offering one-time relaxation to the FMGs who were facing difficulties to join the mandatory internship programme in India due to the limited number of seats in the medical colleges, NMC allowed them to get enrolled at the non-teaching hospitals for this purpose.

Issuing a circular, the President of the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC validated the list of 679 Recognized Non-Teaching Hospitals for Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship issued by erstwhile MCI for a period of one year up to May 2024, for the conduct of Internships ofn medical graduates from abroad only.

"This relaxation is granted only as a one-time measure," NMC clarified in the circular dated May 9, 2023.

The Apex medical commission further mentioned in the circular that "The allotment of FMGs in these Non-Teaching Hospitals shall also be done only through concerned State Medical Councils."

According to the list of recognized non-teaching hospitals annexed with the NMC circular for the purpose of FMG Internship, there were a total number of 679 such Hospitals in 23 States/UTs across the country (including the Military and Railway Hospitals).

Also Read: NMC allows FMG Internship in 679 Non-Teaching Hospitals as one-time relaxation, details