FMG Certificates Compensating offline clinical training with Online Theory Classes NOT Acceptable: NMC
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New Delhi: Taking cognizance of instances of medical graduates from abroad maliciously obtaining compensatory certificates from their parent universities for the online classes that they underwent, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has now stated that such certificates shall not be accepted henceforth.
Issuing a Public Notice in this regard on 7th June, 2024, the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of NMC mentioned, "It has been observed that many FMGs are maliciously obtaining compensatory certificates from their parent universities for the online classes carried by them. The medical profession deals with precious human life, therefore the life of Indian citizens cannot be put at stake of poorly trained medical professionals. The UGMEB has decided that henceforth, Certificate regarding the compensation/supplementation of online theory subjects/classes with offline practical and clinical training shall not be accepted."
The Apex Medical Education Regulatory body, NMC, clarified in the notice that FMGs who underwent online classes during their years of study have to undergo Internship for a period of two/three years.
"FMGs who have attended their classes online for any duration during their course completion are required to qualify the FMG Examination and subsequently undergo a Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for a period of two/three years (a schedule of 12 months to be repeated) as mentioned in the Circular dated 9.5.2023 and as per the public notice uploaded on 7 th December 2023," the Commission mentioned in the notice.
Clarifying the date from when the notice will come into effect, NMC added, "This public notice is effective from the date of its publication."
The notice by NMC UG Board comes in continuation to its previous circular dated 9th May 2023, through which UGMEB had issued clarification regarding the conduct of internship for the FMGs.
Also Read: FMG internship in India: NMC releases clarification on CRMI, check out details
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that issuing the circular on May 9, 2023, the President of NMC UGMEB, Dr. Aruna V Vanikar had addressed several issues including important provisions under CRMI Regulations 2021 for the FMGs, validation for Online study by the Commission, the applicability of NMC Public notice dated 28.07.2022 on FMGs, the requirement of Domicile by FMGs for internship, completion of internship by FMGs in parts at hospitals and medical colleges, issues concerning payment of stipend to FMGs, and one-time relaxation to Foreign Medical Graduates to complete internship.
NMC issued this clarification after receiving representations/queries from various stakeholders including the State Medical Councils seeking clarifications on different issues regarding the mode and method of conducting Medical Internships for Foreign Medical Graduates in India.
Clause X of the concerned clarification stated , " All FMGs(Except covered in point (viii) and (ix) above) are required to complete their study from respective University/Institutes in offline mode or to supplement their online theory subjects/classes by offline practical and clinical training and thereafter shall acquire a valid medical qualification which is registrable in that country where it is being acquired. After qualifying FMG Examination, FMGs shall undergo Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for a period of one year in accordance with CRMI Regulations 2021."
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that releasing a notice dated 28th July, 2022, NMC had informed that "...the Indian students who were in the last year of their undergraduate medicine course (due to COVID-19, Russia -Ukraine war etc had to leave their foreign medical institute and return to India) and have subsequently completed their studies as also have been granted certificate of completion of course / degree by their respective institute, on or before 30th June 2022, shall be permitted to appear in Foreign Medical Graduate Examination. Thereafter, upon qualifying the FMG examination, such foreign medical graduates are required to undergo Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for a period of two years to make up for the clinical training which could not be physically attended by them during the undergraduate medicine course in the foreign institute as also to familiarise them with practise of medicine under Indian conditions. The foreign medical graduates will be eligible to get registration only after completing the CRMI for two years."
Later NMC clarified that this relaxation was applicable only for the FMGs who were in the last year of their course. Last year on 22.11.2023, addressing several issues concerning the FMGs, NMC had mentioned that medical students abroad, who had a break in their Final year and who returned to India due to COVID pandemic or war and completed their course online such students "be allowed to continue to complete their two years before permanent registration given by the State Medical Council."
NMC also addressed the issues of FMGs who had a break in their Penultimate year of study and mentioned that "Existing FMGs, if any, already performing internship at present, may be allowed to continue with one year of internship. They may subsequently do one year clinical clerkship and one year internship. (Thus a total of three (3) years, before obtaining Permanent Registration from concerned SMC)."
Again on December 07, 2023, NMC released another Public Notice and addressing such FMGs who returned to India in their Penultimate year, it mentioned, "Existing FMGs undergoing internship be allowed to continue to complete their three (3) years before permanent registration given by the State Medical Council."
To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:
https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-notice-fmg-internship-240580.pdf
Also Read: Reconsider 3-year Internship Rule for FMGs: Doctors Urge Health Minister, NMC
