Doctors protest against NMC Bill in city

Kolkata: Various organisations of doctors on Wednesday staged a demonstration in front of the NRS Medical College and Hospital, demanding the complete withdrawal of National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017.

It was alleged that the Parliamentary Standing Committee has submitted a report with some minor changes, thereby allowing the Centre to go ahead with its proposals to abolish age-old institutions like Medical Council of India (MCI), Dental Council of India (DCI) and Nurses Council of India (NCI).

The members of different organisations took out a rally on Wednesday afternoon, demanding that the Centre must scrap NMC Bill, 2017, as it would strengthen the hands of the private players.

The Bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for its consideration after various political parties protested against the Bill in the parliament.

Many of the doctors' organisations, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), had viewed that the Bill has the potential to adversely change the character of medical education and healthcare delivery in this country and it will inflict irreparable damage on public health.

IMA had strongly opposed the NMC Bill, 2017, which seeks to replace the existing Medical Council of India (MCI), the highest medical regulating body, with the new body - National Medical Commission.

Various organisations alleged that the medical aspirants will not be able to study medical courses on the basis of their merit and it would help those who can get their wards admitted in MBBS courses, against huge amounts of money.

The Bill will also put in place a common entrance exam, which all medical graduates will have to clear to get practising licences.

The Bill also has a provision for a common entrance exam and licentiate (exit) exam, that medical graduates have to pass before practising or pursuing PG courses.