Govt docs continue to oppose NMC Bill

Organisations including Government All Doctors’ Association (GADA) and Doctors Association of Social Equality (DASE), Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association (TNMSA) and Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) are among those opposing the Bill, which is to replace the Medical Council of India.

When it was initially proposed last year, they had staged protests seeking the removal of proposal in it such as the National Licentiate Examination (NLE), a common entrance exam to be taken by medical graduates to get license to practise and bridge course that would enable AYUSH doctors to practise modern medicine. They had also sought 50 per cent reservation for government doctors in PG and super speciality courses.

Dr P Balakrishnan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, said they would not agree to the imposition of NLE, which the medical students have to clear even after the successful completion of MBBS examination. “The authority over doctors, medical services and medical education will be changed if Medical Council of India is replaced,” he added.

“The NMC Bill will derail the medical education and lead to the privatisation of medical services. This would give the powers to political parties over medical education and also promote malpractices,” alleged Dr C Sundaresan, president, Government All Doctors’ Association.