The year 2016 has seen its fair share of developments in the medical field in India. Some of these were rather unexpected while others were long in the pipeline. Here is a look at some of the key developments that would affect medicos in India.

National Medical Commission Bill

MCI has come under fire for lack of transparency many times before. But this time the decision was made to scrap the body so that it can be replaced with the to-be-created National Medical Commission. This Commission is to become the key policy making body that would regulate medical education in India.

Appointment of oversight Committee on MCI

Corruption has been alleged on the MCI and the Supreme Court appointed a three member oversight committee to scrutinize MCI’s activities. The Court granted the Committee the authority to oversee all the statutory functions under the MCI Act. In addition, all the policy decisions made by the MCI would need the approval of the Committee. Also, the Committee could issue appropriate remedial directions and also will function until the Central Government brings about an appropriate alternative mechanism.

The 7th Pay Commission

2016 was also the year in which the Union Government announced the newest pay commission applicable to all central government employees. However, the medicos under central government pay were not at all pleased by the commission’s recommendations including reduction of HRA from 25% to 20% of the basic salary. Also, the latest commission recommends that instead of treating NPA as part of the basic pay it should be treated as a separate allowance. This was the reason why the HRA and consequently the total salary for doctors turned out to be lower than expected.

However, following the outcry from doctors, the government had called for appointing a special allowance committee that would be chaired by the Finance Secretary and which would have the representation from the health ministry. This committee would deliberate on the issue of NPA. Until a final decision is made, all the current allowances would be paid in the existing rates. The committee’s decision is pending still.

NEET

It was in May 2016 that the SC issued the judgment which called for a common entrance exam for entry to medical and dental courses across the country. Following the court’s judgement the government too extended its ambit to PG as well as super-specialty courses in medicine and dentistry. Though implementation of the ruling has been patchy this year, the rule is seen favorably by professionals and aspirants.

Legible prescriptions

The issue of medical prescriptions not being legible has been in the air for quite some time. However, it was in 2016 that the MCI finally came out with an official gazette notification regarding the same. Amending the Indian Medical Council(Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics)(Amendment) Regulations Act, it was added, “Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and s/he shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.”

Rise in the retirement age for doctors

The country has been facing a shortage of qualified doctors for a long time, particularly among specialties. In 2016, one measure to tackle the issue was taken-which was the decision to increase the retirement age for doctors. Whether it’s at the Central or State level, the retirement age of doctors is now 65. The government also issued the notification to increase the age of superannuation for the specialists in the non-teaching and public health sub-cadres as well as general duty medical officers of CHS to 65 years. The change has already come into effect.

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