NMC grants recognition to Banda Medical College

Lucknow: The Government Allopathic Medical College at Banda has finally received recognition from the apex medical body - National Medical Commission. In addition, two more medical colleges in the state are expected to get recognition soon.

The announcement in this regard was confirmed by Principal Secretary of Medical Education Alok Kumar on Sunday. With Banda Medical College receiving recognition from the NMC, inspection of Azamgarh and Saharanpur medical colleges have also been done and recognition will be given soon. 

The good news has come as a major relief to medical students who were suffering for long due to the lack of recognition after taking admission at the medical college since 2017. 

Thanking Chief Minister Yogi, Indian Medical Association (IMA) shared the announcement on Twitter saying "Great News! Indian Medical Association's Efforts Yield Results! Banda Medical College recognized!. Two more colleges to be recognized soon. IMA thanks Hon'ble CM of Uttar Pradesh, Shri @myogiadityanath Ji, for supporting the future of 300+ medical students."

Also read- IMA Questions Blanket Permit Given By NMC, Seeks Intervention Of UP CM Over Pending Recognition For Three Medical Colleges

The move came into effect after IMA on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath regarding the pending recognition of three medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh and also sought his intervention for better functioning of the National Medical Commission.

In a letter directed to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, IMA has further "put forth serious concerns about Incautious working at the National Medical Commission," as it blamed the blanket permit given by NMC for this situation.

The association has alleged that the current situation is a result of NMC's decision of granting permission to medical colleges only on the basis of affidavits.

"It is learned that three medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh, from which many students pursued their MBBS course, namely, Government Allopathic Medical College at Banda, Government, Medical College at Azamgarh, and Government Medical College at Saharanpur, are unable to get recognition from National Medical Commission. This has left hundreds of medical students, who completed their M.B.B.S., stranded as they are unable to get state medical council registration" stated the letter jointly written by Dr Sharad Kumar Agarwal, National President, IMA and Dr Anil Kumar J Nayak, its Secretary General.

"It is an example of absolute incautious and careless functioning. Indian Medical Association in the best interests of medical education and student's requests for immediate intervention for better functioning at National Medical Commission," IMA stated in the letter while requesting the Chief Minister to intervene.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that around 300 MBBS graduates from these three medical colleges were facing an uncertain future as they are unable to register with the State Medical Faculty (SMF) in the absence of recognition from the Apex medical commission.

SMF is the representative body of NMC in the State of Uttar Pradesh. In order to practice in the State of Uttar Pradesh or pursue higher studies, it is mandatory for Medical Graduates to obtain registration from the SMF. The State Medical Faculty gives registration to the medical and dental graduates only from a recognised medical or dental college.

Even if the medical graduates wish to go to other States for practice, then also they need to have a registration from SMF. In the absence of registration, a practicing doctor may be treated as a quack and the Chief Medical Officer of the respective district may initiate legal action against them.

Reportedly, the MBBS students of 2017 batch of these three medical colleges, who graduated in 2022, have been facing a situation concerning lack of recognition for the last year. Meanwhile, the 2018 batch MBBS students are about to appear in the exams and complete the MBBS course in 2023 and they are also worried about their future.

While the MBBS students who graduated from these medical colleges in 2022 have not got registration from SMF, they have been given a provisional registration and the authorities have assured to resolve the matter at the earliest.

Also read- 3 Medical Colleges Lack NMC Recognition, Around 300 MBBS Graduates In UP Face Uncertain Future