What Will Happen if Respiratory Medicine Dept Goes Away from 706 Medical Colleges? HC to decide on NMC Decision

Nagpur: While considering the plea by the Indian Chest Society (ICS) challenging the National Medical Commission's (NMC) decision of eliminating the Respiratory Medicine Department from the MBBS curriculum, the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court recently sought to know from the NMC the rationale behind such decision.

During the proceedings, the HC bench comprising Justice Bharti Dangre and Justice Abhay Mantri noted the argument that if the subject is eliminated, it means that the teaching staff for these courses or the department of respiratory medicine setup for this purpose would also be unavailable at 706 medical colleges across the country, which in turn would affect the healthcare facilities and the treatment of ordinary citizens.

Medical Dialogues reported that last year, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) had removed three departments- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), Respiratory Medicine, and Emergency Medicine from the list of departments that every medical college/institution must have to be approved for undergraduate medical admissions on an annual basis. The provision for a separate department for respiratory medicine is also absent in the newly released Competency-Based Medical Education 2024 guidelines.

Even though the respiratory medicine specialists had approached different authorities urging to change this decision, they did not get any respite and decided to pursue the legal remedy. Accordingly, the Indian Chest Society (ICS) filed a Public Interest Litigation in this regard before the Bombay High Court. Apart from ICS, the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is also a petitioner in this case.

Also Read: MBBS Curriculum: Why are Respiratory Medicine Specialists at Loggerheads with NMC

During the previous hearing of the matter, the doctors' counsel argued that UGMEB is required to function under the Act of 2019 and it is subject to the Regulations made by NMC as per Section 16 (2) of the Act of 2019. Further, the counsel pointed out that as per Section 57 of the 2019 Act, NMC is empowered to frame Regulations, and accordingly, on 28th October 2020, NMC framed Regulations as per which 24 Departments (including Departments of Respiratory Medicine, Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation and Emergency Medicine) were identified to be established by every Medical College and Medical Institution approved for MBBS admissions annually.

As per the latest media report by The Hitavada, during the hearing of the case on Friday, the Apex Medical Commission informed the bench that these subjects will now be included as part of General Medicine. However, the Court underlined the importance of Respiratory Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and questioned the NMC's decision to eliminate the course. Further, the HC bench also questioned the justification of including such an important topic in General Medicine.

The High Court bench has directed the Commission to provide a reasoned explanation for this decision within three weeks. Meanwhile, the petitioner association was asked to submit a reply.

Responding to the NMC's argument that the subject would be part of General Medicine, the petitioner's counsel argued that this would adversely affect the availability of doctors in hospitals for these critical subjects. Further, the counsel contended that the Commission's decision would deprive medical students of crucial courses and also adversely impact the treatment of ordinary citizens. 

"Mr. Rahul Bhangde, learned counsel appear for the respondent nos.2 and 3 and seek time of three weeks to file reply. We expect the affidavit to be filed within a period of three weeks as undertaken," ordered the HC bench.

"The petitioners are at liberty to file their rejoinder within a period of two weeks thereafter. Re-notify to 19th November, 2024," it further mentioned in the order.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues regarding the NMC's decision, Dr. Neel Thakkar, Vadodara-based pulmonologist and a member of the Indian Chest Society said, "The matter is not just about medical education, whether they teach respiratory medicine to MBBS students. But because of the department only and the absence of training , how many lives will be lost, how much Drug-resistant Tuberculosis and COPD will spread, how will this affect the mortality and morbidity should another pandemic strike our nation? All these questions need answers."

To view the order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/bombay-hc-respiratory-medicine-255599.pdf

Also Read: Respiratory Medicine, Emergency Medicine, PMR Depts no longer mandatory to start new medical colleges, Doctors question move