On Tuesday, the doctors in India decided to go on a nationwide strike in protest of the National Medical Commission (NMC) BIll 2017. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) opposed the bill and called for a 12 hour long strike. The protest will be demonstrated between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. today.
The NMC bill suggests replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, the National Medical Commission (NMC.) Nearly 2.9 lakh doctors have taken to the streets to protest the bill which was presented in the Lok Sabha on the 29th of December. The bill will be tabled at the Rajya Sabha today leading to the doctors staging a protest.
Understanding the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill:
- The bill states the Medical Council of India will be replaced by the National Medical Commission acting as the top regulator of medical education in the Country.
- The bill further suggests a common entrance exam and licentiate exam for all medical graduates to get their practicing licenses.
- A new four tier structure will also be put in place to regulate medical education. The members of the National Medical Commission will head this structure.
- The NMC will put together a team of 20 members to form this commission. Among the 20 will be a Chairman, a member secretary, eight ex officio members and 10 part time members.
- The standout feature of this bill aims at giving relief to medical students from the high fees charged by private colleges. The National Medical Commission will have the power to dictate guidelines for fees for 40% of the seats in these private medical colleges.
