Medical MSc teachers demand rollback of NMC guidelines, protest at Jantar Mantar

As per the erstwhile Medical Council of India's (MCI) Teachers Eligibility and Qualifications (TEQ) guidelines, candidates with Medical M.Sc/Ph.D qualifications could be appointed as teachers in the five non-clinical specialities to the extent of 30% (50% in Biochemistry) of the total faculty strength. NMC was expected to carry forward the MCI's guidelines. The draft released for public feedback by NMC was in tune with the MCI norms. However, when the finalized norms were published through a gazetted notification on October 2020, the permissible percentage was halved to 15% in Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry and completely removed for Pharmacology and Microbiology disciplines, sending shockwaves among the Medical M.Sc/Ph.D community.

In a FAQ subsequently released by the NMC, it was clarified that the said notification would apply to new medical colleges starting 2021-22 MBBS batch. At the same time, the guidelines would apply to the existing medical colleges that would seek to enhance MBBS seats. Also, all new appointments in old and new medical colleges alike would be as per the new norms.

Following the same, the teachers with Medical M.Sc/Ph.D qualifications (inappropriately labelled as "non-medical") are agitated. Over 150 such teachers and students pursuing Medical M.Sc courses from medical colleges across India converged at the national capital to protest these guidelines and demanded immediate restoration of the erstwhile MCI norms.

"With the new guidelines in place, the current faculties, especially in Pharmacology and Microbiology, would be forced to remain in the same job. One will have to remain in the same college until retirement, is sacked or forced to leave as all doors for appointments in other medical colleges have been closed. One will not be able to move to other locations for career or personal reasons. With no other prospects, these faculties could be subjected to a variety of harassments and denials of opportunities including promotions or salary hikes. This would be a serious human rights violation", said Dr. Sridhar Rao, President of the association.

"Hundreds of such teachers are currently working on tenure or contract basis. Medical colleges are refusing to continue or renew their services citing the new guidelines. All of them would be rendered jobless. NMC's statement that existing faculties wouldn't be affected is untrue. Tutors, who have already put in four years are being denied promotions. A couple of teachers have already been sacked", said Mr. Arjun Maitra. "Over a thousand students, who are pursuing their 3-year Medical M.Sc courses in the 35-odd medical colleges across India, hoping to have a career in medical education have their opportunities vanished even before they complete their study", said Dr. Ayan Das, Joint Secretary representing Delhi.

"We are an important stakeholder in medical education and have been rendering our services for decades in medical education and diagnostic laboratories. Overnight reduction and cessation without due consultation or considerations are improper", added Dr. Rao. "Despite several representations and memoranda to the NMC explaining why the move is flawed, there has been no response. While we were able to meet the health secretary, NMC has neither replied nor agreed to meet us. There is panic and anxiety among our members as they are being denied promotions, extensions, or opportunities to apply for teaching jobs. An unresponsive NMC is only adding to our miseries. With no option left, we are forced to protest", he added.

"Despite an increase in the MD seats in the non-clinical specialities, 40-50% of them are remaining vacant each year, as most MBBS graduates prefer PG in clinical specialities. Therefore, faculty deficiency in the non-clinical specialities will continue. The faculty positions in many colleges are still vacant despite several rounds of interviews as candidates with MBBS/MD qualifications are unavailable. These vacancies are more pronounced in the remote, hilly, or suburban areas. Instead of letting the medical education suffer due to such a paucity, suitably qualified teachers with Medical M.Sc/Ph.D qualifications can fill that void", stated Maitra.

The NMMTA members have submitted a memorandum to the Health Ministry requesting a rollback of the guidelines, representation in the NMC, formation of a council, ending academic apartheid, promotion of research, PhD and post-doctoral fellowships in medical colleges among others.

In the memorandum the association mentioned, "Even though the guidelines are to apply to new medical colleges starting MBBS 2021-22 batch and those college opting for increasing MBBS admission, we are facing plenty of difficulties. We are being denied appointments in Pharmacology and Microbiology in any medical college. Those of us who have been working on tenure/contract are being denied extension or re-employment citing these rules. Despite scoring the highest in the interview, some are us are being denied appointments." The association further stated, "The students pursuing medical MSc courses, who are hoping to have a career in teaching have no scope at all."

NMMTA requested the Health Ministry to address their concerns and consider the following requests:

1. Restoration of the previous MCI norms regarding the appointment of non-medical teachers.

2. Stop harassments of non-medical teachers and provide similar roles and responsibilities in academics as those for medical teachers without any bias or discrimination. This includes academic roles such as examination, PG research guide, etc.

3. Not insist on the Basic course in Research Methodology for non-medical teachers who have Ph.D qualifications.

4. Ensure that all non-medical teachers undergo training/workshops on basic medical education, competency-based medical education and AETCOM modules.

5. Ensure that the rights of non-medical faculties are protected and the timely extension/promotion/salary hikes etc. are not denied or unjustly denied.

6. Provide fellowships and grants to non-medical teachers to undertake Ph.D at the place or work.

7. Start post-doctoral fellowship schemes for Ph.D scientists in medical colleges.

8. Create a post of Research Scientists in medical colleges for Central Research Laboratories.

9. Appoint one of us to the National Medical Commission.

10. Formulate a council for the regulation of medical M.Sc courses and register the persons with Medical M.Sc and Ph.D qualifications in the non-clinical subjects.

11. Use the term 'Medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers' instead of referring to us as 'non-medical teachers'.

12. Introduce the non-clinical subjects in the CSIR UGC NET exams.