Established almost eight decades back, the Medical Council of India (MCI) is today on the threshold of a major restructuring. Reports suggest that the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill 2013 which was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 19 has been referred to the Standing Committee on Health due to lack of consensus between the members of various parties.
But the medical community has expressed reservations with what is seen as bureaucratic interference, a reference to the Board of Governors (BoG) which currently conducts the functions of the MCI. The BoG was constituted after the organisation’s Chairman, Dr Ketan Desai was discovered to be at the centre of a major scam, taking bribes to recognise medical colleges. (See June 2011 Express Healthcare edit: ‘Will past history bog down the new MCI BOG?’ http://healthcare.financialexpress.com/201106/editorial01.shtml) The current BoG’s term has been extended by 180 days and the Central Government will have to reconstitute the MCI by November.
An industry source went so far as to compare the Government’s attitude to a modified version of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). But if the MCI can stand up to the scrutiny, would not this add to the credibility and transparency of the process? However, industry experts believe that 100 per cent transparency is not possible and wrongdoers will find loopholes in any system.
Secondly, having to wait for the Central Government to scrutinise decisions will only add layers to the decision making process and leave it open to political whims. Indeed, the Central Government’s stand to have a single national eligibility cum entrance test (NEET) for medical colleges was ultimately a traumatic experience for millions of students this year. The MCI and the Central Government continue to battle it out in court, but the underlying purpose of having these students take one entrance test was defeated, with many aspirants taking several of them as private medical colleges went ahead and organised their own tests.
Possibly the only amendment giving cheer to the medical fraternity is the proposal that doctors of Indian origin who got their qualifications abroad, will be allowed to practice medicine in India; in effect recognising their overseas qualifications and doing away with the need for qualifying exams.
It is true that the MCI’s image as an institution has suffered a beating in the last two years. The MCI was envisioned as a watch dog, to monitor the quality of medical education in the country and entrusted with accrediting medical colleges, recognising medical qualifications and granting registration to medical practitioners. Even though a few individuals abused this trust, it is the institution which will have to work doubly hard to rebuild this trust.
For its part, the Government seems to be putting in many safeguards to prevent history repeating itself. For instance, the Bill specifies a term of four years for the MCI and a limit of two terms for both the major office bearers, the President and Vice President.
The Bill also specifies the conditions under which the Central Government can remove both heads. Abuse of the position while performing the duties specified under the Act; wilfully or without sufficient cause failing to comply with directions issued by the Central Government and in public interest are some of the conditions specified in the Bill. The Bill is thus very clear that the Central Government will have the upper hand and the final word, and will direct the MCI on policy matters including amending and revoking regulations made by the Council.
The medical community has objected to these strictures and their stand seems to be supported by the Opposition, who argued that the proposed changes would take away the autonomy of the MCI. However, political parties seem to be divided on this issue. For instance, there have been reports of the CPI(M) proposing a list of amendments as they feel that the Act seeks to go beyond the shores of India and award recognition to overseas branches of Indian medical colleges in neighbouring countries. This, they allege, is designed to benefit a few of the bigger private medical colleges.
There is no doubt that the MCI’s role as a watchdog is critical to the quality of medical education in India which in turn is pivotal to the massive scaling up of India’s healthcare system. While we do need further discussion and debate on the finer points of the Bill, both the Government, political parties and the industry will have to hammer out a consensus asap. With the November deadline looming close, and political parties preoccupied with electoral posturing, this looks like a pipe dream right now.
Viveka Roychowdhury
Editor
