FAIMA meets NMC chairman, flags delay in NEET counselling, equal pay for FMGs, medical stipend issues

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and the chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC) held a meeting over the issues related to resident doctors, NEET exam, FMGs, among many other topics.

During an hour long meeting with the NMC chairman, the medical association emphasised on several points regarding resident doctors, along with FMGs, NEET exams, and counselling, PG medical education, stipends, duty hours, bond policies, and other concerns related to different states and union territories.

FAIMA also placed its demand for ENT and Ophthalmology departments to be shifted back to NEXT Part 1. The NMC chairman responded to the demand in a positive manner, FAIMA said in an official statement.

The doctors’ association has also submitted several concerns for the NCM and requested “appropriate policy and regulatory interventions.”

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Fix doctors maximum working hours at 72 hours: FAIMA

In a written letter to the NMC, the doctors’ body stated that resident doctors across the country continue to face excessively long and strenuous working hours, frequently extending beyond 24–36 hours continuously, resulting in adverse affect on their physical health, mental well-being, academic training, and ultimately patient safety and quality of healthcare.

The FAIMA has requested the NMC to establish and strictly implement uniform national guidelines limiting continuous duty hours to a maximum of 24 hours.

It has also asked the commission to ensure that the total working hours do not exceed 72 hours per week.

Furthermore, it has also sought mandatory mental health and wellness programmes in all medical colleges. Availability of qualified mental health professionals within medical institutions, along with regular awareness programmes to reduce stigma and encourage students and doctors to seek timely support.

There should be strict and periodic assessment of faculty, infrastructure, clinical workload, and academic facilities, adequate patient load and clinical exposure before granting or increasing student intake, the letter read.

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'Announce NEET admission calendar in advance'

It also emphasised that there should be an availability of functional laboratories, libraries, hostels, equipment, skill laboratories, and other essential facilities.

“Ensure strict and uniform implementation of the NMC An-Quackery guidelines, finalised a consultation with all State Medical Councils, across the country,” it added.

The doctors’ association has also requested the NMC to issue a clear national clarification and public notice defining the scope of dermatological and aesthetic practice and the qualifications required to perform such procedures.

It has also pointed out a concern related to NEET exam and counselling and urged the commission to announce the admission process calendar well in advance.

The FAIMA has also sought measures to minimise delays between exam, result declaration, counselling and joining. In addition, the doctors' association has also asked for equal spending for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) with equal work and pay.

Candidates who qualify the FMG face disparities in spending compared with similarly placed Indian medical graduates, FAIMA said.