FMGs protest outside NMC office over permanent registration delays, demand uniform norms

New Delhi: Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) recently held a peaceful gathering outside the National Medical Commission (NMC) office over the issues faced by them in obtaining permanent medical registration in different states.

Due to an alleged communication gap between the National and State Medical Councils, FMG doctors have been facing unnecessary delays and confusion in Permanent Registration. Permanent registration is essential for FMGs to practice medicine independently in India. Without it, they cannot legally work as registered medical practitioners. 

As a result, delays in granting permanent registration can leave qualified doctors unable to begin their medical careers despite having completed the required examinations and internship training.

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As per the National Medical Commission's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021, FMGs can be granted permanent registration only after meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria, including qualifying for the mandatory licensing examination and completing the required internship or clinical training. Permanent registration is necessary for an FMG to legally practice medicine in India as a registered medical practitioner.

The Democratic Medical Association (DMA India) and Global Medicos India (GLoMed India) held the protest recently and said that FMG doctors from various parts of the country also joined the gathering in support of the demand. 

Later, members of the delegation, including DMA India National President Dr Amit Vyas and National General Secretary Dr Shubh Pratap Solanki, along with GLoMed India representatives Dr Nishant Kaushik, Dr Krishna Upadhyay, and Dr Aman Soni, were invited for a meeting with NMC officials, where a peaceful and constructive discussion took place. 

The officials patiently heard the concerns raised by the associations and assured that necessary directions would be issued to the respective State Medical Councils within the next 7 days.

During the meeting, special emphasis was laid on the issues being faced in Rajasthan, where FMG doctors are encountering maximum difficulties in obtaining Permanent Registration. In this regard, NMC assured that a written clarification and response would be provided to the Registrar of the Rajasthan Medical Council.

In addition, internship-related issues concerning the Punjab Medical Council were also raised during the meeting, and NMC officials assured that the matter had been addressed and an appropriate resolution had been provided.

The primary demand raised by the associations was that different states have implemented different rules regarding Permanent Registration for FMGs, causing unnecessary hardships and mental stress to qualified doctors. The associations demanded a uniform national policy so that all FMG doctors can obtain Permanent Registration without discrimination or administrative obstacles.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Amit Vyas said, "NMC has positively considered the demands raised by the Democratic Medical Association and Global Medicos India and has agreed to forward necessary directions to the respective State Medical Councils. The major issue appears to be the communication gap between the National and State Medical Councils, due to which FMG doctors have been facing unnecessary delays and confusion in Permanent Registration. In fact, this communication gap became so serious that affected students had to personally reach NMC to get their concerns heard and clarified. Now the responsibility lies with the State Medical Councils regarding how quickly and positively they resolve these issues in the interest of students. I hope this becomes a strong step towards justice, clarity, and a uniform registration policy for all FMG doctors across India."

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