NMC necessitates sports complex for MBBS, PG medicos, Parliamentary panel calls for patient-centric infrastructure

New Delhi: While addressing the National Medical Commission (NMC) recommendations for the development of a sports complex for MBBS and postgraduate medical students, a parliamentary health committee has opined that there should be a balance between student welfare and patient-centric infrastructure.

Stressing the need for equal priority for patient-centric infrastructure such as attendant shelters, clinical infrastructure, diagnostic blocks, mobility support, etc., the Parliamentary health panel has opined that only with a balance between student welfare and patient-centric infrastructure, a holistic redevelopment plan, which strengthens both academic standards and patient care, can be achieved.

These recommendations were presented before the Parliament by the Department-related Parliamentary Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its 172nd report.

While taking note of the implementation status of ongoing/new projects at Dr. RML hospital and ABVIMS, the panel raised a query with the Department on the needs-assessment survey on the land allocation with respect of a plot of 2020 sqm area designated for a sports complex, considering the critical shortage of clinical space and beds, patient attendant shelter, or an additional diagnostic block.

In response, the Department submitted that in the proposed Redevelopment Plan, diagnostic facilities like Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, and Radiology have already been planned in such a way that these facilities will be easily accessible to all the departments smoothly. It was also submitted that the Institute needs a Sports Complex as per the NMC norms. However, since there is no space available for this purpose, it has been planned to allot the said area for the development of the sports complex. Further, the Department submitted that a Patient attendant shelter has already been planned in Dharamshala area in the proposed Redevelopment Plan.

Recommendations by Health Panel: 

While the health panel acknowledged that compliance with the NMC norms necessitates the development of a sports complex for UG/PG students, it opined that to achieve a holistic redevelopment plan that strengthens both academic standards and patient care, a balance between student welfare and patient-centric infrastructure is required.

Accordingly, the Committee recommended, "The Committee acknowledges that while compliance with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms necessitates the development of a sports complex for UG/PG students. The Committee is of the view to balance student welfare and patient-centric infrastructure to achieve a holistic redevelopment plan that strengthens both academic standards and patient care. The Committee, thus, believes that equal priority should also be accorded to patient-centric infrastructure such as attendant shelters, clinical infrastructure, additional diagnostic block and mobility support."

Even though the panel called the proposed allocation of the 2020 sqm plot for a sports complex justified, it urged the Department to give proper attention to the patient attendant facilities as well. Accordingly, it recommended setting up an attendant shelter and a free electric cart service.

"The proposed allocation of the 2020 sqm plot for a sports complex is justified for the mental and physical well-being of medical students, but the Committee urges the Department that patient attendant facilities should also be given attention and not to be treated as auxiliary. Many attendants accompany patients from distant areas and require roundthe-clock accommodation near the hospital," recommended the panel.

"The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Department should plan to design and construct a spacious, well-equipped patient attendant shelter, enough to cater to number of attendants in proportion to at least half of the in-patient beds, with basic amenities such as sanitation, drinking water, and resting areas, located close to the main hospital building. Alternatively, a free electric cart service (shuttle services) should be provided 24×7 to connect the shelter with hospital blocks, diagnostic facilities, and parking areas, benefitting elderly attendants and patients, improving inclusivity and ease of movement," it added.

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