Govt to regularise medical education
A day after Union Cabinet approved in principle the dissolution of Medical Council of India (MCI), Union health minister Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad met Prime Minister on Friday.
Ministry sources said Mr Azad is leaving for Geneva to attend the World Health Assembly conference of the WHO and he apprised the Prime Minister of its agenda. The Cabinet’s move had come after suspended MCI chief Ketan Desai was arrested by the CBI on corruption charges on April 23. Desai tendered his resignation from the post on Wedensday. Mr Azad, it was learnt, had briefed the Cabinet why it had become necessary to bring in an ordinance to dissolve the MCI.
Sources in the ministry said an ordinance to scrap the MCI, prepared by the ministry, had been sent to the President for approval after Cabinet’s nod for dissolution of MCI. The MCI, an autonomous body was created by the Act of Parliament. Therefore, the ministry has no provision for suspension, dismissal or showcause notice to its members. Government, meanwhile, also informed that it would bring a law for the formation of an overarching body to regulate medical education in the country. Till then a seven-member panel of doctors will replace the scam-tainted MCI. Health secretary, Ms K. Sujatha Rao on Friday said a draft law for the formation of such a body would be formulated within a month.
“We have suggested an overarching body which will be responsible for maintaining standards and regulation of medical colleges,” Ms Rao said.
In Mumbai, Mr Azad when asked about the ordinance indicated that this was required as there was no law by virtue of which action could have been taken against the MCI.
The main functions of the Medical Council of India are to ensure uniform standards in medical education and grant of recognition to medical degrees awarded in India and abroad.
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