Lancet questions MCI conduct, calls for revamp

New Delhi: After a parliamentary panel's report calling for reform, it is the turn of the international scientific community and healthcare experts to red flag the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI). A latest report in 'Lancet', a medical journal, has expressed concerns about the council and the state of regulation of medical education in India.

Referring to several observations in the parliamentary standing committee report submitted in the Rajya Sabha in March, the Lancet report said it called for "a shake-up of medical education and regulatory systems". It said the future of medical education would depend on the health ministry's response to suggestions made in the report.

Highlighting the long pending government proposal for setting up a National Commission for Human Resources for Health, the Lancet report said, "Medical regulation reached a low ebb when MCI president Ketan Desai was arrested on bribery charges in 2010."

Earlier this month, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) called for a 'radical prescription' to reform the MCI.

The parliamentary standing committee in its report had criticised the MCI acting "against larger public health goals." It also described the council as an "exclusive club" of medical doctors from corporate hospitals and private practice.

Following the parliamentary standing committee report, the health ministry is learnt to have drawn a detailed planned for revamp of MCI. According to sources, the plan includes capping a member's term in the council to a maximum of two terms, each of five years.

The proposal, drafted by the health ministry based on recommendations of an expert committee, has been sent to the parliamentary standing committee on health for its suggestions.