Getting a medical education anywhere in the world can be quite expensive. In many countries, government medical colleges are affordable because they receive a lot of support. The medical expenses for patients in these hospitals are also kept very low and minimal. Doctors working there are paid well and have job stability. The government plays a crucial role in making this possible by allocating funds to ensure that healthcare is accessible to the public at a minimal cost.
However, expanding medical infrastructure is challenging. The government has limited funds allocated for healthcare as they have to budget for various sectors like education and infrastructure. Private healthcare comes into play, but government support is limited. They provide land at a subsidized rate, but the institutions must cover the costs for faculty, healthcare facilities, and support staff.
Private medical colleges have high operating costs, and if the government doesn’t cover those costs, the burden falls on students. This can be tough because not all students can afford the fees, and if a seat goes unfilled due to financial constraints, it’s a loss for the entire five-year MBBS course.
Maintaining a balance is crucial, considering the challenges. One challenge is that faculty members often need to focus on showing results, taking classes, and managing their responsibilities. The National Medical Commission (NMC) is introducing regulations to tighten the grip on colleges, which could impact their functionality. Opening new colleges requires careful consideration of the consequences.
In a move to enhance the quality of medical education and uplift hospital standards, the National Medical Council (NMC) has introduced new regulations for postgraduate courses (PGMSR, 2023). The Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) issued a notice urging both government and private medical institutions to follow the “minimum standard of requirements.” This initiative aims to address irregularities in various private and government hospitals associated with medical colleges.
According to Aujender Singh, Deputy Secretary at NMC, the recent norms are designed to address deficiencies in infrastructure and logistics for postgraduate medical education. NMC plans to take action against medical colleges that do not meet the required criteria, and the PGMEB will regularly assess compliance. The Commission has also implemented a monetary penalty of Rs 1 crore for institutions failing to abide by the set norms.
To further improve the quality of medical education, NMC has barred medical faculties from private practice during college hours, aiming to reduce the burden on postgraduate students. The move responds to the observation that postgraduate students primarily run some medical college hospitals due to the absence of senior faculty engaged in private practice.
The new rules mandate full-time faculty members and require a minimum of 75% attendance for senior faculty. Private medical colleges often face challenges with faculty absenteeism during classes. Doctors may leave to attend private clinics after signing attendance registers.
NMC has also made it compulsory for medical colleges to maintain 80% bed occupancy throughout the year. Which ensures hands-on learning experiences for students. This requirement is particularly crucial for private colleges where high costs often lead to lower patient numbers.
Additional regulations include a minimum of 15% ICU/HDU beds. An average daily OPD attendance of not less than 60 in general medicine. Specific departmental requirements for biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, radio-diagnosis, and anesthesiology.
In terms of infrastructure, NMC emphasizes obedience to existing building norms and local regulations for hospitals. Colleges must obtain mandatory regulatory approvals and clearances. Each department should have a teaching room with audio-visual facilities.
The new regulations underscore the importance of faculty, infrastructure, and staff. With specific directives for increasing resources in key departments based on bed capacity. Institutions should improve in-house facilities, including digital libraries, seminar halls, and high-speed internet connectivity.
As NMC tightens its grip on medical colleges. These regulations aim to create a more durable structure for medical education and healthcare. Institutions considering new colleges must carefully weigh the consequences of these strict measures.
