MCI warns students against PG courses in 4 institutes

New Delhi: PG courses in Four institutes across the country have been shown the red flag by the Medical Council of India (MCI) with the apex regulator issuing a public notice asking aspirants not to enrol themselves for these courses

The notice has been issued in connection to the following institutes courses,

(i) Kokilaben Dihrubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai offering a Master in Emergency Medicine programe;

(ii) AMRI Hospital, Bhubaneswar offering Master in Emergency Medicine programe;

(iii) Indira Gandhi National Open University offering Post Graduate Diploma in HIV Medicine, Health Management, Maternal & Child and Geriatric Medicine.

The notice clearly states that

It may be noted that the above courses have not been accorded permission by the Central Government as statutorily required under Section 10A of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. Consequently, such qualifications are non-recognized and the holders thereof are not entitled to seek registration of Additional qualification with the concerned Medical Council. Thus, offering of such Post Graduate Courses in Modern Medicine are illegal and void ab initio.

As a justification, MCI has held the stand under the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, prior permission of Central Government is required to establish a new Medical College and impart courses in modern medicine. Such permission is granted by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Medical Council of India. The admissions made by any Institution that imparts courses in modern medicine, namely, MBBS, or Diploma in various streams of medicine; MD/ MS/ DM/ M.Ch without the prior permission of the Central Government is illegal and students so admitted shall not get recognized medical qualification entitling them to practice medicine.

The move has met with immediate opposition from concerned institutes

"We have been running these courses for the past 20 years and I am surprised at the MCI's decision. We will take it to the academic council, which is our supreme body, and also inform the visitor, the President of India," Ravinder Kumar, Ignou's Vice-Chancellor told HT.

The Kokilaben in its explanation to MCI stated that it was offering a certificate course which didn't require the central government's approval. However , the hospital was unable to convince the apex educational body said a member of MCI's PG committee.

An HT RTI application in April revealed that all these courses have been under MCI's lens since December 2015.

The MCI decision though has led to a state of indecision for many a student.

According to an IGNOU PG diploma passout ,"Why was the council quiet when these courses were launched and ran for several years? The decision will not serve any purpose except lead to a barrage of petitions in various courts." He urged the council to protect students' interest by giving recognition to the courses for the previous and existing batches.