Kerala: Doctors flay move for fresh exam

Thiruvananthapuram: Doctors have questioned the Centre’s move to start National Licentiate Examination for professionals graduating from medical institutions. The proposal has been included in the National Medical Commission draft bill. Qualifying in the exam will be mandatory for registration to practise. Ironically, the move comes at a time when the Centre is planning to do away with the qualification exams for candidates doing MBBS overseas. Sources said according to data collected from the MCI since 2002, only 3,610 students were able to pass the qualification exams out of 29,968 students who appeared during this period.

The medicos are up in arms against the anti student proposals. "After completing MBBS by taking 20 to 25 exams in 5.5 years, a person becomes a medical graduate. But the NMC proposal says its not enough. The doctor will have to take another examination," said a doctor. The IMA feels Licentiate examination is not required and is unnecessary. It casts aspersions on universities which  are conducing MBBS examinations. Besides it would reduce available manpower because a student who has passed MBBS but fails in Licentiate exams will not be able to practice. It is mindless copying of  the American system and should be dropped.

“Cost of medical education and health care might go up considerably if these proposals are accepted. Moreover the quality of medical education will also be badly hit,” said IMA state president Dr Jayakrishnan. According to the draft Bill, qualifying the National Licentiate Examination by a person with under-graduate degree obtained from a medical institution within India will be sufficient for licence to practice and enrolment in the National Register or any State Register.

However, the persons registered in the Indian Medical Register under the IMC Act, 1956 before the  commencement of this Act and prior to the coming into force of the National Licentiate Examination shall be deemed enrolled in the National Register. According to the proposed move, no person other than the one enrolled in the National/State Register would be allowed to practice medicine as a qualified medical practitioner. He or she will not be allowed to hold office as physician or surgeon or any other office meant to be held by a physician or surgeon in Government or in any institution maintained by a local or other authority.