Doctors oppose non-MBBS faculty, stage protest

The All India Pre and Para Medical Association along with several other medical organisations on Thursday protested over the appointment of non-medical graduates as faculty in medical colleges. The doctors’ association also submitted a memorandum to the National Medical Commission urging not to revert back from its formed regulations under no circumstances over the appointment of faculties in the colleges.

The doctors’ protest comes after last month the Centre issued a direction to NMC to bring amendment in the Teachers Eligibility Qualifications (TEQ) in Medical Institutions Regulations, 2022.

Under old regulations of Medical Council of India, the non medical postgraduates (BSc, MSc, PhD) were appointed in pre and para clinical departments ( Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology) as faculties to a maximum of 30% of total faculty strength as there was a paucity of medical postgraduates in these departments.

However, after the MBBS and MD seats increased and enough doctors appointed in these departments, the NMC passed an order TEQ in Medical Institution Regulation 2022 and notified that only 15% of the faculties shall be non medical postgraduates in these departments.

Opposing the direction of NMC, the Non Medical Teachers submitted petition in high court against regulations and also approached health ministry. The ministry passed an order in favour of non medical teachers. 

Meanwhile, in the last hearing, the court wanted to know the NMC stand as an expert body. The doctors has requested NMC not to revert back from its formed regulations under no circumstances. 

The Federation of Residents Doctors Association (FORDA) urged the NMC “not to revert back from its formed regulations under no circumstances and also requested Ministry not to pressurize an expert body which is constituted with an ambitious vision to make the health education system of the country at par with the global standards”. 

The Indian Medical Council has also appealed to the ministry to maintain the high standard of medical education to produce best doctors by not relaxing the high standards set by NMC

FORDA Gen Secretary Dr Sarvesh Pandey said that “The provision of MCA was just a temporary arrangements and was only for the cases where there was non-availability of Medical Teachers. Someone who has not studied MBBS, MD and not treated patients as a part of daily routine, may not be able do justice as a teacher to MBBS or MD students and train them adequately. We demand justice to our medical fraternity”.