NMC allows for-profit companies to set up medical colleges under PPP model
Vijayawada: The National Medical Commission, NMC has removed the earlier restriction allowing only non-profit (Section 8) entities to set up medical colleges. Both non-profit and for-profit companies can now establish medical colleges, including under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The move aims to improve resource utilisation, expand medical education capacity, and ensure affordable patient care under state oversight, with NMC maintaining quality through its accreditation framework and SOPs.
According to a recent report by PTI, NMC Chairman Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth on Wednesday said that the regulation of allowing only non-profit companies to set up medical colleges has been shelved to enable both non-profit as well as for profit companies to run them.
Addressing a press conference at Dr NTR University of Health Sciences in Vijayawada, the National Medical Commission (NMC) chairman noted that a recent board decision has deleted the condition of allowing only Section 8 companies, non-profit ones, and thereby allowing both non-profit and for-profit companies.
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“Earlier only non-profit Section 8 companies were allowed to set up medical colleges but a recent board meeting has removed this regulation, paving the way for both non-profit, and for-profit companies to set up medical colleges under Public Private Partnership,” said Sheth, who met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today, in an official press release, quotes PTI
According to the chairman, NMC is of the belief that public and private entities teaming up together will enable the efficient utilisation of available resources for medical education.
Observing that PPP model implementation is currently the prerogative of state governments, Sheth asserted that such an arrangement is running successfully in Gujarat.
As hospitals run under PPP mechanism will be under state governments’ purview, he said patients will receive treatment on either free or subsidised basis.
To ascertain quality, he noted that NMC has formulated its own accreditation process and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
He highlighted that NMC’s aim is to make medical education available to common people, along with international standards and added that the commission is working towards incorporating the changes occurring from time to time.
As part of enhancing medical education quality, Sheth said clinical research has been made compulsory, including embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI), futuristic technologies and digital healthcare, among others.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to integrate clinical research as a core component of medical education, moving it out of the optional category and embedding it into the mainstream clinical curriculum, including assessment and training.
NMC Chairperson and NBEMS President Dr Abhijat Sheth said the decision has been approved in principle by the NMC Board.
A joint committee involving ICMR, IISc, IITs and medical experts will be formed to draft a framework for large-scale integration of clinical research across undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The initiative is expected to enhance the quality of medical education and foster a stronger culture of clinical research within the medical fraternity.
