Fact Check: NMC cautions against fake notice giving MBBS recognition to Kyrgyzstan University

New Delhi: Warning the medical aspirants about a fake notice, the National Medical Commission has recently issued clarification regarding the recognition of Avicenna International Medical University, Kyrgyzstan.

Referring to the fake claim about the recognition of the concerned medical institute, the Apex Medical Commission in a recent notice mentioned, "This is to inform all that a fake letter having Ref. No. NMC (RTI)/ 2021/ 27-Regn./140719 dated 16.09.2022 stating that "Avicenna International Medical University (Bishkek) is recognized by National Medical Commission and Indian students can study here to become a doctor" is in circulation under the signature of Secretary, NMC and Under Secretary, NMC."

Clarifying that the notice is a fake, the Director of NMC, Pankaj Agrawal further added in the notice, "In this regard, it is clarified that the above letter is fake as National Medical Commission has not issued the same."

This is not the first time that NMC has issued such warnings. Medical Dialogues had reported previously reported that earlier this year NMC had warned the medical aspirants to decide diligently before pursuing MBBS course abroad. Back in February, NMC had issued such a warning and informed the students of the possible problems in pursuing MBBS in the newly launched medical colleges in Kyrgyzstan.

"It has come to the notice of Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India that few new Medical Colleges have been launched in Kyrgyztan in last one year namely, the Avicenna University, Adam University, Royal Metro, Int'l Medical University Salymbekov University, ABC etc. and nearly two hundred Indian students have already been enrolled in these institutions without enrollment of a single Kyrgyz Student," NMC had mentioned in the advisory dated 18.02.2022.

Also Read: MBBS in Kyrgyztan: NMC warns students before taking admission

"In this context, any prospective student needs to be aware that there may be some supervisory, regulatory and infrastructural issues in these institutions that should not be overlooked before taking admissions there. Allowing overseas students on the day of the launch also runs contrary to international norms requisite to enroll foreign students," it added.

NMC had also advised the students to refer to the FMGE Regulations, 2021 before getting admitted to MBBS courses in Krygyztan, "Also students are advised to refer to National Medical Commission's FMGE Regulations, 2021 before applying or planning to seek admission in any institutions in Krygyztan or any other foreign country."

These Regulations brought many changes, which might make foreign medical education less lucrative. The regulations clearly mentioned that after acquiring their medical degree, the foreign medical graduates in future will have to clear the NeXT exam and also undergo additional internship in India, apart from pursuing internship in their own institutions at the foreign country where they have studied.

On the issue of Grant of permanent registration to Foreign Medical Graduate, the regulations stated that No foreign medical graduate shall be granted permanent registration, unless he has– undergone MBBS course with a duration of fifty-four months, completed an internship for a minimum of 12 months, studied in the medium of instructions in English, studied some specific subjects, registered with the respective professional regulatory body, completed supervised internship in India for 12 months, and has cleared the National Exit Test.

However, in this context it should also be mentioned that back in September, NMC mentioned the list of countries in which Indian medical students from Ukraine can study under the 'Academic Mobility Programme'.

The Commission clarified that "Academic Mobility Program, refers to temporary relocation (for the period of conflict) to other Universities in poland, Auskia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Slovakia, Spain, Uzbekistan, US, Italy, Belgium, Egypt, Belarus, Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Greece, Rumania, Sweden, Israel, Iran, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Germany, Turkey, Croatia and Hungary. However, the degree will be awarded by the parent Ukrainian University."

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-public-notice-192500.pdf

Also Read: NMC issues clarification on Academic Mobility Program