Should Every Medical College in India Have an Oncology Department? NMC to study feasibility
New Delhi: The Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to set up a committee of experts to conduct a feasibility study to find out if it is possible for all the medical colleges across the country to have an Oncology Department.
NMC PG Board took this decision in its meeting dated February 07, 2023, and mentioned it in the meeting minutes, a copy of which is with Medical Dialogues.
This decision from the Apex Medical Commission comes after the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) suggested that in order to resolve the shortage of manpower in India for cancer care, all the medical institutes mandatorily have a Department of Oncology.
Shri Rajesh Bhushan, the Secretary of the Union Health Ministry made this suggestion to the Commission and pointed out that as per the WHO norms, one radiotherapy equipment/per million population, is base requirement for cancer management.
Also Read: Andhra Pradesh medical colleges to get Oncology department: CM Mohan Reddy
Hence, the requirement of Radiotherapy equipment is about 1365 machines in the country. However, as per the data provided by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) only 740 number of equipment are in place in 531 institutions, the Ministry official opined.
Taking note of this suggestion from the Ministry, the PG Board of the Apex medical commission examined the suggestion and the matter was discussed during the meeting.
Referring to this, the PG Board mentioned in the Minutes of Meeting,
"The suggestion of Secretary, MoHFW to make it mandatory for every college of the country to have an Oncology Department for cancer care was examined by the Board. President, PGMEB stated that one of the mandate of the PGMEB is to promote the specialities and to augment the health care facilities in. the country."
"After deliberations, the Board decided to undertake feasibility study by forming a Committee of Experts," it further added.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the President of PGMEB, Dr. Vijay Oza. Apart from Dr. Vijay Oza, the president of PGMEB and Dr. K. Senthil, the Part-time member of NMC PG Board, Mr. Aujender Singh, Deputy Secretary (PGMEB), Ms. Rita Singh, US (PGMEB) and Mr. Pramod Pant, Sr. PPS were also present to facilitate the meeting.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that with an aim for better research and development of cancer diagnosis and treatment, earlier this year, NMC had requested all the medical colleges/institutes (private and government) providing cancer diagnosis and treatment to register themselves with the National Cancer Registry of ICMR.
