Bridge course for Ayush practitioners flayed

Stating that the proportion of elected representatives from the medical fraternity is only 20 per cent in the proposed NMC Bill, S Gurushankar, President, AHPI’s TN Chapter, said, “It is grossly inadequate and against democratic principles of fair representation.”

“Also, the founding principles of modern medicine is based on evidence and rooted in standard treatment protocols. They have nothing in common with the traditional systems of medicine (AYUSH). Mixing the two systems through a bridge course will not only be inappropriate, but  it will also severely undermine patient safety,” he added.

The bill has also received flak for the proposed Exit exam. “Imposing another National Licentiate Examination on medical students after the successful completion of MBBS examination is superfluous. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test has already been imposed on them. What is the need to give an examination after completing the course?” opined a Government Hospital doctor. 

A member of the Association said, “The NMC Bill should lay the foundation to take the Indian healthcare system to the next level and make Universal Health Coverage a reality in near future, instead of complicating the existing system.”