NMC issues guidelines on change of observer, participant for revised basic course workshop

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued guidelines on change of observer, participant for Revised Basic Course Workshop (rBCW) at various medical colleges. The new guidelines arrived as a measure to curb the practice of frequent proposals of change of nominated observers and participants by the Nodal Centres and Regional Centres. The guidelines direct colleges to check the availability of the nominated observer and participant, provide reasons for change, and warn them of withdrawal of status of NCs and RCs.

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“Of late, it is observed that after granting permission to conduct rBCW, the NCs/RCs are sending proposals frequently to change the name of observer and participants in a very routine manner. At times, the requests are made to change the participants at a large scale even more than 1/3rd of the total participants earlier approved. This is not a healthy practice and shows a lackadaisical and unplanned approach towards conducting rBCW by the RC/NC/medical college,” said NMC in an official notice.

NMC said that it cannot be denied that under emergent and unavoidable circumstances, changes are required, but warned that this practice should not be adopted routinely.

The NCs and RCs are sending proposal for list of participants, faculties, and nominated observers to the Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) for permission to conduct rBCW as per the guidelines. The proposal is being accepted and permission is being granted, said NMC.

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The guidelines issued by the NMC for colleges are:

• Before sending a proposal to UGMEB, NMC for permission to conduct rBCW, the concerned NC, RC, or medical colleges must ascertain the availability of the nominated observer and participants to avoid any changes later.
• In case, it is inevitable to seek permission for change of observer or participant under emergent situation, such proposal should be sent to UGMEB with full justification or reasons at least three working days in advance before commencement of the workshop.
• The board will not grant permission if the number of participants is more than three. If the number of participants for replacement exceeds three, the permission for conducting the workshop will be withdrawn.
• If the proposal for change is received by UGMEB more than three times in a calendar year, the board will take action against the NC and RC to withdraw their status.