NMC issues modifications in competency-based MBBS curriculum to address LGBTQIA+ issues

NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued recommendations of the expert committee formed to address LGBTQIA+ issues to make changes in the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum. The expert committee has recommended modifications in the competencies of Forensic medicine subjects and of psychiatric topics. NMC has listed down the recommendations in a notice to all principals, deans, registrars of medical colleges and institutes as well as directors of medical education boards.

“In pursuance of the order passed by the High Court of Madras in a writ petition, an expert committee was formed by the Undergraduate Medical Education Board to address the issues related to the LGBTQIA+ community. The expert committee, after detailed discussion and deliberation, recommended to make modifications in competency based medical education curriculum,” reads NMC’s notification.

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The expert committee formed by the UGME board recommended modifications in the competencies of Forensic medicine subject numbers, FM 3.16, FM 3.13, FM 3.17, FM 3.18, and competencies of psychiatric subject numbers, PS 13.1 to 13.7, it added. Students, teachers and medical boards can check modifications on the official website of NMC - nmc.org.

Last year, in October, NMC had issued an advisory regarding the issue of LGBTQIA community and important changes in the competencies of CBME curriculum. As per the advisory, the scientific books should not be biased against the LGBTQIA+ community.

NMC has issued guidelines for medical colleges, universities, and institutions with regards to the order issued by the Madras high court in writ petition filed by two NGOs, Queerythm and Disha, seeking removal of the discriminatory content.