NMC examines LNJP MCh, DM admissions row, Health Ministry details student transfer, oversight measures in Parliament

New Delhi: Regarding the alleged irregular admissions to MCh Neurosurgery and DM Neuro Anaesthesia courses at Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP), the Union Minister of State for Health recently informed the parliament that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has examined the issue.

MoS Health Anupriya Patel further informed the Lok Sabha that four affected students admitted for the academic session 2024-27, whose admissions were declared void ab initio, have been transferred from Lok Nayak Hospital to Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi to safeguard their academic interests and future.

The information was shared by the Minister while responding to a series of questions raised by a parliament member who sought to know whether the Government is aware of the inquiry report of the National Medical Commission regarding alleged irregular admissions to M.Ch. Neurosurgery and D.M. NeuroAnaesthesia courses at Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, affiliated with Maulana Azad Medical College, including deficiencies in faculty, infrastructure and violation of statutory norms.

Also read- NMC orders disciplinary, criminal action against former LNJP Neurosurgery HoD over illegal admissions

The member asked if so, then the disciplinary and penal action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government against the responsible officials/former Heads of Department; whether NMC has recommended criminal investigation under relevant provisions of law, including charges of fraud, forgery, criminal conspiracy and abuse of official position. 

He also questioned about the measures taken by the Government to safeguard the academic future, degree validity and migration of affected students whose admissions were declared void-ab-initio in this regard; and the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to strengthen monitoring, audits and accountability mechanisms to prevent recurrence in Government medical Institutions.

In response to the queries, MInister Patel informed that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has examined the issues pertaining to alleged irregular admission to the M. Ch Neurosurgery and D.M. Neuro-Anaesthesia courses at Lok Nayak Hospital affiliated with Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. The matter includes concerns relating to the admission process as well as certain deficiencies in faculty, infrastructure and adherence to statutory norms.

Medical Dialogues had reported that the NMC ordered criminal proceedings against the former head of neurosurgery at Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP days after the final inquiry committee concluded that unilateral actions by the then head of the department caused illegal admissions to its MCh neurosurgery programme and not systemic lapse despite the withdrawal of the regulatory approval.

A final inquiry committee constituted by NMC found that the Delhi Government-run Lok Nayak Hospital reportedly made illegal admissions to its MCh neurosurgery programme. Accordingly, the NMC panel recommended the migration of students and disciplinary action against officials.

In its report, the Commission's committee found that the students were admitted to the MCh Neurosurgery course even after the mandatory LoP was withdrawn by NMC. According to officials, the panel also examined the irregular admissions to the DM (neuro-anaesthesia) programme and called for systemic corrections.

However, the inquiry committee reportedly concluded that the crisis in the neurosurgery department was not caused by a systemic lapse, but it was due to unilateral actions by the then-head of the department.

Therefore, the apex regulatory body stated that the former HOD was responsible for the alleged irregularities and grave misconduct since the illegal activities happened while he was in charge. In response, the NMC ordered disciplinary and criminal action against him.

While apprising the parliament about this, Mos Health Patel said, "As a corrective measure, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has informed that new faculties have been nominated as guides for the M.Ch.(Neurosurgery) students. Further, in order to safeguard the academic interests and future of the students, all four students admitted for the academic session 2024-27 have been trasferred to Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi. The NMC has also created supernumerary posts for this purpose."

Regarding the steps taken to strengthen monitoring, Patel informed that the National Medical Commission has in place stringent regulatory provisions as well as monitoring and compliance mechanisms to ensure accountability and prevent such instances in medical institutions. 

Further, the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi has informed that steps have been taken to strengthen monitoring and oversight, adherence to statutory norms, regular review of faculty and infrastructure and enhanced coordination with medical institutions and regulatory bodies. she added. 

Also read- NMC panel flags illegal superspeciality admissions at LNJP, recommends student migration, disciplinary action against officials: Report