SC seeks technical solutions to reduce MCI inspection cases

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 25: In order to reduce the recurring disputes over the inspections of private medical colleges by the Medical Council of India (MCI), the Supreme Court has sought technical solutions to lay down deterrent measures.

The court has asked Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and non-executive chairman of Infosys, to suggest technical solutions which might include artificial intelligence for MCI inspections.

The decision came while hearing a petition filed by Al-Azhar Medical College and Super Speciality Hospital, last year, which challenged the MCI report. The report declines the college’s permission to admit students in the academic year 2017-18 on the grounds that the college was unable to furnish satisfactory details at the time of inspection. Considering this case and other litigations filed by private medical colleges regarding the permission to admit students or recognition, the apex court seeks to standardise the process with technical assistance to avoid last minute rejection of a college. MCI, as the administrating body, inspects a new college every year for five years to grant recognition. After a college receives recognition an inspection happens after five years or a surprise checks can be done in case there is a complaint registered against the college concerned.

To avoid the “incessant disputes” the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices S.A. Bobde and L. Nageswara Rao, requested Mr Nilekani to look into this matter at the earliest. The court has asked Mr Nilekani to take assistance from IT companies like Wipro, Infosys and Accenture among others.

The suggestion for seeking technical solutions was given by the amicus curiae for the court Kapil Sibal. Mr Sibal has been asked to chair the meeting which will prepare the list of issues that need to be taken into consideration by the former chairman of UIDAI, Mr Nilekani. The meeting shall be convened within a period of 15 days and any lawyer who is involved in the particular case can also attend the meeting.

Last year, the court decided to take strict measures so that cases of private medical colleges being rejected permission to admit students can be reduced. These cases create tension and anxiety for students, medical institutions and the bodies involved. The next hearing for the case concerned is slated to be held on October 24.