District Residency Programme mandatory for all private medical colleges, deemed universities students: NMC

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission has issued a notification on various doubts received from the stakeholders regarding the implementation of the District Residency Programme (DRP). In a response to a query about if DRP is mandatory for private medical colleges and deemed university students, NMC has stated that it is mandatory for all students who are pursuing their postgraduation from private medical colleges and deemed universities.

From the 2021 batch onwards, all PG medical students will be required to participate in the DRP programme. NMC has also responded to the query about community health centers with 100 or more beds, as the number of district hospitals are very less to accommodate the number of PG students.

"For the purpose of this programme, a District Hospital shall be a functional public sector/government-funded hospital of not less than 100 beds with facilities/staff for the designated specialities at that level/facility," the NMC said.

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"For the purpose of this programme, the District Health System shall also include all public sector/government-funded hospitals and facilities (including community health centres, primary health centres, sub health centres, urban health centres etc.), as well as community outreach system in a district. This would also include district system engaged in running respective public health services including the implementation of national and state public health programmes," it added.

NMC has stated in its clarification that District Residents shall be provided with necessary amenities, including, among others, suitable accommodation and transportation to work (if they live away from the workplace), as well as security, especially for women. Depending on the state of the area, government or rented premises can be used as accommodation. They should meet the prescribed standards.

As part of the rotation, the District Resident posted in the District Hospital will be assigned to the concerned or aligned speciality team or unit within the District Hospital, and will be trained under the overall guidance of the District Specialists.

"The District Resident will work under the overall directions and supervision of the District Residency Programme Coordinator (DRPC). The clinical responsibilities assigned to the Residents would include serving in outpatient, inpatient, casualty and other areas, and encompass night duties," the NMC further added.

Responding to queries related to the Deputation of PG students of other medical colleges in the district hospitals where medical colleges are already linked to these District Hospitals or Or the posting of PH students for DRP in those District Hospitals which have been recently converted to the medical colleges for imparting only MMBS Courses, NMC stated that both the cases will be possible provided that training is periodically monitored and is comparable to the PG training in a medical college hospital.