Exit test for MBBS grads: see what doctors have to say about it
The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill which makes provision for an exit test for MBBS graduates was introduced earlier this week. The Union health ministry’s draft has it that only those MBBS graduates who pass the National Exit Test(called NEXT) could practice medicine.
However, surprisingly or not, many people- doctors and concerned parents among them feel that the move is not completely for the good. In fact, over 100 parents and doctors from Maharashtra alone have voiced their opposition to NEXT which is supposedly aimed at providing a level-playing field for both private and government college students. The draft has been passed by the Parliament but remains open to feedback till January 6.
Suggestions and feedback from doctors
As per Dr Rajendra Kulkarni, a Nashik based paediatrician who wrote to the ministry. “We already have a continuous evaluation process for medical students all through the five and a half years of their MBBS programme. Taking a NEXT exam at the end makes the university exams and assessments redundant.”
According to the doctor, this tedious process would discourage meritorious students from taking up medical courses. The draft does state that NEXT is to replace the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for PG courses. However, as Kulkarni points out, the draft doesn’t clarify about what happens if an MBBS students fails to clear NEXT.
Another suggestion from some doctors is that the Bill should make provision to allow students to take NEXT multiple times since it’s a qualifier for admission to PG courses. Many doctors and parents did agree that NEXT would help maintain uniform standards in medical education. But the 50 percent reservation clause hasn’t gone down well with either of the groups.
In fact, some parents claimed that such a reservation went against the merit-based system of admission that’s currently followed.
According to Sudha Shenoy, a parent of a medical student in Mumbai, “With the current 50 per cent constitutional reservations at the undergraduate and post-graduate entry level, an additional 50 per cent reservation for government medical officers will leave less than 25 per cent chance for open category students.” She added that such a restriction would compel MBBS graduates to seek out PG courses abroad.
Dr. Kulkarni made the point that the move would set MBBS students back by an year or two. . “With a five and a half year course for MBBS, a compulsory government service of at least a year and an ME programme, it will take a doctor at least 13 years to complete their education,” he said. According to him, this would discourage students from pursuing medical education.
Both doctors and parents have asked the ministry to reconsider the clauses before passing the Act, The draft would remain open for suggestion till January 6.
Validity and reservation questioned by the parents
In the feedback they have given, the parents have contested not just the validity of NEXT nut also the 50 percent reservation in PG seats for candidates in govt. services.
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