In a groundbreaking move, the National Medical Commission (NMC) is set to revolutionize the healthcare sector with its latest initiative, the ‘one nation, one registration platform’ for doctors across India. This innovative platform aims to streamline processes, eliminate redundancy, and empower the public with easy access to vital information about physicians practicing in the country.
Within the next six months, the NMC will roll out a pilot version of the National Medical Register (NMR), wherein every doctor will receive a distinctive identification number. This number will enable them to apply for a license to practice in any state of their choosing. This forward-thinking step was officially announced earlier this year through a gazette notification titled “Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023”.
Dr. Yogender Malik, a member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board at NMC, shed light on the operational mechanics of the system. “Undergraduate students will receive a temporary ID on the NMR. Once they complete their course, this ID will be unveiled and officially assigned. It can be used to update any further qualifications, and all state registers for licensure will be seamlessly linked, accessible at the click of a button,” explained Dr. Malik during a press conference on Tuesday.
Crucially, this database will also be open to the general public, providing crucial information about a medical practitioner’s qualifications, registration date, workplace details (including hospital/institute names), specialization, year of graduation, university, and institute/university where the qualification was obtained. Dr. Malik emphasized that until the system is fully operational, existing regulations will remain in effect.
A staggering 14 lakh doctors currently registered in the system will have their data seamlessly transferred to the NMR, ensuring continuity and ease of transition.
Furthermore, the commission has laid out a comprehensive framework encompassing registration of additional qualifications, license renewal, transfer, removal, and restoration of registration, as well as other pertinent provisions. Notably, the notification concerning license denial states that if a candidate’s application for license issuance or renewal is rejected by the State Medical Council, they may appeal to the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) within 30 days of receiving the decision.
In parallel, the NMC has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to institute a rating system for medical institutions across the nation. Come the 2024-25 academic session, both government and private medical colleges will be evaluated based on the quality of education they deliver.
This monumental step by the NMC is poised to not only streamline the medical profession but also empower the public with readily accessible information, heralding a new era of transparency and efficiency in healthcare. Stay tuned for further updates on this groundbreaking initiative!
