Medical MScs as Medical Faculty: NMMTA calls for co-existence amidst doctors protest

New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing protest by doctors against the appointment of non-medical graduates in medical colleges, the National M.Sc Medical Teachers' Association (NMMTA) has now come out in defence demanding co-existence.

Supporting the decision of the Union Health Ministry of implementing the previous rules for appointing non-medical teachers, NMMTA mentioned in a recent Press Release, "NMMTA fully supports the government's decision to revert to the Medical Council of India's guidelines on the permissible percentage of medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers, which was taken after thorough research and deliberations."

Calling for co-existence, the association further mentioned, "Attempts to coerce the government to change its stance are unlikely to succeed, and we call upon associations to demonstrate largeheartedness by embracing coexistence, fostering the best teaching practices for the benefit of medical students."

Speaking to Medical Dialogues in this regard, the General Secretary of NMMTA, Dr. Ayan Das said, "We are not here to fight anybody, We are not against anybody's livelihood. There is a huge shortage of faculty and we can very well co-exist for a long duration of time. We just want the basic dignity. We all have come a long way, worked hard for getting our MSc. and PhDs."

"Just allow us to work. We just want equal opportunity to appear, not any kind of reservation," he further mentioned.

The statement from the NMMTA comes when the medical fraternity across the country has been protesting against the appointment of non-medical graduates in medical institutes. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that opposing the appointment of non-medical graduates in medical colleges, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) recently wrote to the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

In the letter addressed to the Union Health Minister IMA also appealed to allow only medical postgraduates as eligible candidates for appointment in the Medical colleges to uphold the CBME Syllabus with quality. The association also suggested that Non-Medical Postgraduates faculties continuing in Medical College be adjusted within the 15% limit already notified by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Also Read: Doctors oppose appointment of non-medical graduates as faculty in medical colleges, stage protest

"IMA firmly believes that in this era where thousands of postgraduate medical teachers are available in the paraclinical field, it is not advisable to compromise with the standard of medical education by allowing non-medical teachers who have no knowledge of Applied Medicine and undergraduate curriculum of MBBS to teach them on this subject," IMA mentioned in the letter.

Meanwhile, All India Pre and Para Medical Association organised a peaceful protest on July 20, 2023 against the appointment of non-medicos. The protest was held at Jantar Mantar, the National Medical Commission (NMC), and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Representatives from the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) also participated in the protest.

Press Release by NMMTA:

Now, addressing the matter, NMMTA has issued a Press Release in this regard. In the release dated July 20, 2023, NMMTA reiterated its commitment to upholding the quality of medical education in India, specifically in the non-clinical specialties of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Microbiology. Contrary to recent misinformation spread by certain sections, we emphasize that utilizing medical M.Sc/Ph.D qualified teachers for teaching non-clinical subjects is not unique to India; it is a standard practice globally. While dismissing a similar call to exclude medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers earlier, the erstwhile MCI had clearly stated that the non-medical teachers are essential to wholesome education of medical students, NMMTA mentioned.

It is important to debunk the misconception that medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers are incompetent or ill-equipped. The medical M.Sc course, which involves a comprehensive three-year curriculum, runs parallel to MD courses in medical colleges. The students undergo rigorous training, including essential components like journal clubs, seminars, case discussions, clinical correlation, and hospital postings. The first year of the medical M.Sc course even involves the compulsory study of human Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, akin to the first year MBBS students, enabling a strong foundation in understanding the human body in health and sickness, the release stated.

The claim that MD seats in the non-clinical specialties remain vacant is validated by the Medical Council of India's own submission, indicating a significant dearth of MBBS graduates opting for post-graduation in these subjects. Despite an increase in MD seats in non-clinical specialties over recent years, 40-50% of these seats remain unfilled annually. This is primarily due to the fact that most MBBS graduates choose to avoid pursuing post-graduation in these subjects. Even with the incentive of free-seats and other perks, not many come forward for these courses, it further added.

NMMTA further pointed out in the release that the shortage of qualified teachers in many medical colleges, particularly in remote and rural areas, necessitates the utilization of alternate qualified workforce such as medical M.Sc/Ph.D candidates. The freedom to recruit these teachers should not be denied, especially in challenging situations where medical institutions face severe faculty shortages. The practice of transferring faculty from one college to another or hiring faculty solely for inspection purposes is detrimental to medical education. Rather than resorting to unethical tactics, it is more prudent to leverage the expertise of alternative qualified professionals, such as medical M.Sc/Ph.D candidates. NMMTA does not advocate for reservations; medical institutions are free to prioritize the appointment of medical teachers based on their qualifications and merit. At the same time, recruitment of medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers should not be denied when no medical candidates are found.

Over the past three years of implementing the CBME syllabus, no medical student has suffered due to being taught by medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers. Medical education for MBBS students extends beyond non-clinical subjects, with integration continuing in the clinical subjects in pre-final and final years. Teaching is a collaborative effort, and medical teachers can always complement and compensate for any perceived deficiencies in non-medical teachers, mentioned the association.

The ongoing movement to exclude medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers from teaching in medical colleges appears to be politically motivated and lacks merit. The attempt to mislead the government and society using a "toolkit of misinformation" is disheartening and condemnable. The prevailing opposition against Medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers by certain parties is creating a hostile environment on college campuses, which is detrimental to medical education. Certain disruptive elements are actively attempting to influence students' minds, presenting a biased and politically motivated narrative. It is imperative for authorities to intervene and address these issues definitively to promote coexistence and harmony among all educators. Policy-making should be free from pride and prejudice, with the focus on fostering collaboration between both categories of teachers, rather than fostering contempt, the release further read.

NMMTA fully supports the government's decision to revert to the Medical Council of India's guidelines on the permissible percentage of medical M.Sc/Ph.D teachers, which was taken after thorough research and deliberations. Attempts to coerce the government to change its stance are unlikely to succeed, and we call upon associations to demonstrate largeheartedness by embracing coexistence, fostering the best teaching practices for the benefit of medical students, it stated.

One of the main issues contributing to the conflict is the limited number of faculties in preand para-clinical specialties. In light of this situation, we earnestly implore the NMC to consider increasing the faculty limit for these disciplines. At present, the existing studentteacher ratio makes it exceedingly challenging to implement small-group teaching effectively. This action would not only alleviate the competition for teaching positions but also allow for enhanced small-group teaching, mentioned the association.

NMMTA holds the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in high regard for its commendable contributions to advancing medical education over the decades, and we draw inspiration from its efforts. We earnestly hope that the IMA reevaluates its stance and advocates for coexistence of both categories of teachers to strengthen medical education, it added.

Modifications of the Rules for Appointing Non-Medical Graduates in Medical Colleges:

However, the matter remained unsolved due to pending court cases. Last year, filing an affidavit before the Delhi High Court, NMC reversed its stand on the reduction of permission percentage of "non-medical" teachers with medical M.Sc/Ph.D qualifications. The affidavit was filed in response to a plea filed by NMMTA and other associations and individuals on the guidelines published in the Minimum Requirements for Annual MBBS admissions Regulations, 2020.

Referring to the earlier order issued by the Union Health Ministry in this regard, the Under Secretary of NMC has mentioned in its affidavit dated August 30, 2022, "It is respectfully submitted that in so far as, the challenge to the Minimum Requirements for Annual MBBS Admissions Regulations 2020, and/or the Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022 as raised in the present writ petition is concerned, the answering respondent after due consultation with the Central Govt. in various meetings, has decided to abide by the decision of the Central Government as communicated vide order dated 03.01.2022."

"The Central Govt. vide its order dated 03.01.2022, has decided that the answering respondent may continue to adopt the old pattern of permissible percentage non-medical teachers for the time being subject to the outcome of the various writ petitions pending adjudication before this Hon'ble Court," added NMC.

Also Read: Govt calls for amendment in NMC TEQ norms for non-medical teachers, NMMTA lauds move

Meanwhile, last year NMC also released Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022. Since the eligibility for a non-medical faculty appointment in the Department of Pharmacology and Microbiology was not specified in the TEQ 2022 regulations, no appointments could be made for the posts. Therefore, NMMTA made an appeal to the Union Government to look into the matter.

Following the appeal from NMMTA, the central government issued direction to the NMC for bringing amendment in the Minimum Requirements for Annual MBBS Admissions Regulations, 2020, and Teachers Eligibility Qualifications in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an order stating, "In view of the above stated issues and given that the reasons considered by the Central Government while passing earlier order dated 03.01.2022 continue to exist the following directions are issued to NMC in the present appeal subject to outcome of pending court cases in the matter: Appointment of non-medical faculty having M.Sc qualification may be allowed, for the time being, in the Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Microbiology to the extent of 30% of the total number of the posts in the Departments."

However, the directions issued by the Health Ministry have been strongly opposed by the medical fraternity across the country and doctors have started urging the authorities not to appoint non-medical graduates in the medical institutes.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the General Secretary of NMMTA, Dr. Ayan Das explained the effects of the modified TEQ regulations regarding appointment of non-medical graduates and said, "As it barred fresh appointments, it violated the basic fundamental right of the citizens to work anywhere in India. After working so many years in a medical college, we are not entitled to get into a common college. At this age, it is not possible to change our profession from medical to non-medical college. The contractual faculties also faced the issue as their contract was to be terminated and there was restriction in the fresh appointments. Many people lost their jobs, many were unable to shift. And once without the option to shift, they started getting exploited."

"We don't have the luxury to do private practice. It is a question of our livelihood. So, in desperation, we filed the case," he further mentioned.

"Our demand is clear. we are not here to fight anyone. We are here to co-exist. We are already a minority. How can a minority be a threat to a majority? We are a handful of people. We are saying let us also appear in the job interview. Don't say that we are ineligible," added Dr. Das.

Also Read: NMC reverses its Stand on TEQ norms for non medical teachers, says old rules will be followed