The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Medical College in Srinagar has received a Show Cause Notice from the National Medical Council (NMC), which threatens to lower the MBBS quota because of ongoing issues that have not been resolved in spite of numerous warnings and notices. This warning, dated April 29, 2024, and signed by Shambhu Sharan Kumar, Director of the NMC’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB), identifies a number of issues with the college’s adherence to NMC rules.
The notice makes reference to earlier orders from the NMC, such as the public notices from February 6 and March 8 of that year. These notices required, in accordance with the NMC Act of 2019 and other rules, all medical institutions holding valid Letters of Permission (LoP) for MBBS admission to submit the needed information and data on the NMC Portal for annual declaration. Along with completed Standard Assessment Form C, colleges also had to submit video recordings of their annual examinations for the various MBBS phases.
The NMC’s most recent notification highlights that the SKIMS administration has not corrected the noted problems in spite of continuous communication and reminders. Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) problems, inadequate faculty attendance marking, insufficient bed capacity, deficiencies in Cytopathology and Culture Sensitivity services, inadequacies in minor surgeries, absence of department-specific information on major and minor surgeries, inadequate family adoption, incomplete cadaver details, and incomplete video recordings of departmental examinations are just a few of these shortcomings.
The warning highlights the sanctions specified in the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulation 2023, demonstrating how seriously the NMC considers these deficiencies. Together with other severe measures outlined in the laws, these penalties may include monetary fines of up to INR one crore for each infraction or act of omission by the medical facility.
In addition, the NMC’s notice gives the SKIMS Medical College one last chance to answer and clarify the differences brought up by experts in a virtual hearing before the Committee. If this option is not taken advantage of within the allotted time, it will be assumed that the college has nothing further to clarify, and the Committee will make conclusions without providing another chance for clarification.
The Show Cause Notice was distributed to several medical colleges across the country, according to Dr. Irfan Rabani, Principal of SKIMS Medical College, in answer to questions. He mentioned that a virtual meeting was conducted with NMC officials to give thorough explanations and conveyed hope that the problems would be resolved quickly.
Overall, the NMC’s Show Cause Notice raises serious questions about how well SKIMS Medical College complies with legal standards. If the found shortcomings are not sufficiently fixed, there may be repercussions, including reduced seating or financial fines.
SOURCE:
MEDICAL DIALOGUES
