The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced
post-doctoral fellowship courses in medical colleges under its regulation,
aiming to enhance research and clinical skill development. Previously, medical
institutions independently created and approved such courses. According to the
recently notified "Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations,
2023," once a medical college is granted permission to start postgraduate
courses, the course will be recognized, simplifying the degree registration
process for students after passing postgraduate examinations.
In addition to introducing these fellowship courses, the
regulations bring significant reforms to post-graduate medical education. Under
the new rules, post-graduate students are designated as full-time resident
doctors, subject to reasonable working hours and provided with reasonable rest
time daily. The regulations also grant a minimum of 20 days of casual leave and
five days of academic leave per year for post-graduate students. Moreover, one
weekly holiday is permitted, addressing the absence of a formal provision for
leaves in the previous regulations.
Dr. Vijay Oza, President of the Post-Graduate Medical
Education Board at NMC, emphasized that these reforms are pivotal in fostering
quality, ethical practice, and inclusivity within the medical fraternity. Dr.
Yogender Malik, a member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board and head
of the media division at NMC, highlighted that the regulations reflect a
commitment to nurturing a proficient and ethical healthcare workforce. The
comprehensive reforms outlined in the regulations mark a significant step towards
ensuring the highest standards of medical education in the country. The
regulations also include penalty clauses for better implementation, involving
monetary penalties, reduction in admission capacity, or complete stoppage of
admissions.
