Doctors and medical students of AIIMS protest against the medical bill in New Delhi on Thursday Picture by Prem SinghThe Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2019, for a new regulatory structure for medical education amid concerns among sections of doctors and parliamentarians that its provisions would legitimise quackery and increase medical college fees. The health minister also announced an amendment changing the constitution of the NMC after a debate in the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha had passed the NMC bill on July 29, triggering nationwide protests from resident doctors, medical students and the Indian Medical Association, the country’s largest body of doctors. Ramesh also echoed medics’ concerns relating to community health providers, saying the language contained in the NMC bill suggests that its provisions encourage quackery. Harsh Vardhan, in his response, said the NMC would determine who would be granted titles of community health providers after extensive consultations.

Source: The Telegraph August 01, 2019 21:33 UTC