NBE likely to remain autonomous from NMC

New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS, NBE), the body in charge of conducting NEET PG, NEET SS and other medical exams, as well as the regulator of various DNB and FNB courses, is likely to remain independent of the National Medical Commission (NMC), reliable sources from the medical fraternity have informed Medical Dialogues.

With this, the previous proposal of the Union Health Ministry of dissolving the NBEMS and replacing it with the proposed Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (BEMS) may not see the light of the day.

This comes after various medical organisations including the Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI), Association of National Board Accredited Institutions of India (ANBAI) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) opposed the move.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back in January, this year, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had proposed replacing NBEMS, NBE with a new autonomous board under the National Medical Commission i.e. Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (BEMS). It had further been proposed that this new body BEMS will be in charge of Conducting the incumbent National Exit Test (NEXT)

Proposing amendments to the existing National Medical Commission (NMC) Act 2019, the Health Ministry had decided to incorporate the Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (BEMS) as the Fifth Autonomous Board under the National Medical Commission (NMC), which is the apex medical education regulatory body.

However, this proposal has met with a severe opposition from the medical fraternity and medical organisations such as AHPI, ANBAI and IMA have already written to the authorities in this regard.

While AHPI, ANBAI and member hospitals wrote to the government authorities, IMA in a release shared with Medical Dialogues referred to the letter directed to the Prime Minister. 

In that letter, IMA pointed out the reforms undertaken by NBE for improving the quality of medical education in the country. The NBE reforms, as pointed out by IMA are as follows:

Increasing PG Seats: 

Mentioning how NBE has increased the number of PG seats from 4500 in 2016 to more than 12500 in 2022, IMA mentioned in the letter, "NBEMS in its present form and structure has the capacity to enhance the number of PG seats as per the requirement of the country."

Launch of Diploma Courses: 

IMA mentioned how within 2 years NBEMS has granted more than 2500 seats across various hospitals and stated, "The specialist manpower created through the Diploma courses in providing health care to the poor people of the country and playing a pivotal role in the success of Ayushman Bharat. Merger of NBEMS will be detrimental to the Diploma Programme."

Starting of New Courses: 

NBEMS has launched more than 20 new courses in the last 05 years thereby giving an opportunity to Indian doctors to be trained within the country. Some of these courses such as Cardiac Electrophysiology are boon to the field of medicine in the country.

Webinar Classes: 

"Converting Covid-19 into an opportunity, NBEMS started webinar classes for the benefit of medical students. NBEMS had conducted more than 3500 webinar classes which are available at NBEMS website and can be accessed by medical trainees. Webinar classes has provided an opportunity for learning in remote areas of the country as well," IMA mentioned in the letter.

Good Clinical Practice Guidelines:

The letter added, "NBEMS has prepared a document on Good Clinical Practices Guidelines which is an attempt to provide guiding points to all NBEMS trainees to follow the principles of ethical and professional conduct expected from a medical professional aimed at safety of doctors and patients alike. The Good Clinical Practice Guidelines are being provided to all NBEMS trainees."

Fellowship Programme for International Students:

IMA mentioned that the Governing Body of NBEMS had envisaged to enhance the academic activities of NBEMS on an International platform and allow International Students to enhance their skills in various Post-Doctoral Fellowship courses running in state of the art hospitals accredited by NBEMS.

"This is the first of its program on a national level allowing foreign post graduates to pursue Fellowship courses in India. NBEMS plans to expand the FPIS with more focus to the SAARC nations," it pointed out.

Examinations:

IMA mentioned how NBEMS has been conducting various national level examinations such as NEET PG, NEET SS and NEET MDS year after year fair with full accuracy.

"This assumes even more importance when we read news of question papers of examinations conducted by other authorities being leaked in last few years," argued the letter.

"Qualifications awarded by NBEMS, Diplomat of National Board (DNB) and Doctorate of National Board (DrNB), are recognized worldwide and have better job prospects as compared to qualifications awarded by erstwhile MCI and NMC," it mentioned.

"It is matter of pride for all of us that more than 01 lakh doctors have been awarded with DNB and DrNB qualifications and are playing an instrumental role in health care delivery system in India and abroad," further read the letter.

Therefore, referring to the proposal for merger of NBEMS with NMC, IMA mentioned, "NBEMS as an Autonomous Body under your leadership has performed to the needs of the society in the last few years and it would be detrimental if NBEMS is merged with NMC as the pace of reforms undertaken by NBEMS is likely to be slowed down."

The Government is mindful of the issue and reliable sources have informed Medical Dialogues that it is likely that with the opposition from the medical fraternity, the Government might not move forward with its earlier proposal of dissolving NBEMS.