NMC to Medical Colleges: Set up ‘enabling units’ for students with benchmark disabilities

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all medical colleges and institutions to constitute enabling units for students with benchmark disabilities. NMC has asked medical colleges to ensure they address requests relating to disability-specific accommodations during students’ course of study, including clinical training and internship period.

The commission’s directive comes after the Supreme Court judgment in Om Rathore v Director General of Health Services & Ors. and the order of July 21, passed in Anmol v. Union of India and Ors.

Therefore, NMC has directed all medical colleges and institutions to ensure and constitute an enabling unit for students.

Above all, to get the SC order implemented by the NMC, one has to approach the Supreme Court yet again with another interim application. Finally, the commission has complied after 1 year and nine months of recommendations.

NMC has noted that all ‘enabling units’ shall function as a single point of contact for students with benchmark disabilities.

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NMC: Enabling units in medical colleges

Apart from constituting enabling units, NMC has given the instructions for medical colleges mentioned below.

• Access to reasonable accommodation, academic and clinical support measures, and barrier-free access within the college.
• Receive and address requests relating to disability-specific accommodations during the course of study, including clinical training and internship.
• Inform details regarding the availability, role, and contact details of the enabling unit to all students at the time of admission and through the institution's website and notice boards.
• Coordinate with the designated Disability Assessment Board, faculty, hospital administration, and other authorities to ensure timely implementation of accommodation in accordance with the RPwD Act, 2016 and the guidelines issued by NMC.
• Maintain records of requests received and accommodations provided, while ensuring confidentiality and non-discrimination.

Furthermore, NMC has said that all colleges must ensure that the units constituted are functional, adequately publicised, and accessible to students to promote an inclusive educational environment as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the directions of the top court.