MBBS medicos should be allowed to choose institutes for internship: FORDA writes to NMC

Opining that NMC should reconsider such directions, FORDA has written in the letter directed to the President of the Under Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), Dr Aruna V. Vanikar, "Like previously, the provision of allowing an Intern to undergo Internship at an Institute of his/her choice, should be kept under the jurisdiction of the parent Institute itself."

Medical Dialogues had recently reported that releasing one of the most comprehensive documents on the elements of MBBS internship, the National Medical Commission recently issued the Draft Regulations For Rotational Compulsory Regulations, 2021. NMC guidelines stated that "Indian Medical Graduates shall complete their entire period of Compulsory Rotating Internship in the institution where they have pursued and completed their MBBS."

Also Read: MBBS internship only at Medical College where medico is studying: NMC releases fresh guidelines for Compulsory Rotating Internship

The internship is a phase of training wherein a medical graduate under supervision acquires the skills and competencies for the practice of medical and health care, and prepares for independent, unsupervised primary care.

The new guidelines clearly outline the various aspects of MBBS internship ranging its goals, objectives, and duration to eligibility, stipend, and what shall entail in the training of a medico during the internship adding that "The goal of the internship programme is to train medical graduates to fulfill their roles as doctors of first contact in the community."

However, NMC had also invited public opinions regarding the Draft Regulations on Compulsory Rotational Internship 2021. Inviting comments and suggestions from various stakeholders, NMC recently mentioned that all could submit their responses before August 7th, 2021.

Also Read: Not Happy with draft Guidelines on MBBS internship? Write to NMC before August 7, Details

Acting immediately, FORDA in its letter dated July 12, 2021 mentioned, "we would like to express our concerns over certain new additions in the Draft Regulations which need to be revisited & revised."

Expressing their concern over NMC's emphasis in the Draft Regulations to complete Internship from the Parent institute only, FORDA has mentioned in the letter, "Some MBBS Graduates switch Institutions during Internship due to unavoidable circumstances like family reasons or for better clinical exposure."

Mentioning that NMC should reconsider its new rules emphasizing that the student must complete the Internship from the Parent institute, FORDA has clarified that "Like previously, the provision of allowing an Intern to undergo Internship at an Institute of his/her choice, should be kept under the jurisdiction of the parent Institute itself."

Apart from this, FORDA has also raised its voice regarding the decision of deploying MBBS interns in the clinic of any other System of Medicine. Opining such a deployment as "a waste of precious time" the letter has mentioned that the time "can be utilized in some other relevant specialty." "Different Systems of Medicine have their own Treatment Guidelines for managing various health conditions," FORDA clarified in the letter.

Another issue that FORDA has raised is the posting of Interns in the District/Sub-Divisional Hospitals. Mentioning that it will "compromise their clinical learning", FORDA has further added that the supervision of Teaching Hospitals, which offer adequate opportunities for Interns to acquire necessary clinical skills, will be lacking in this case.

Thus, FORDA has requested in the letter to consider its concerns and address them while finalizing the Regulations.

However, the association has praised NMC for introducing newer postings in Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Hospital Infection Control, Broad Specialty, etc.