The central government has informed the Lok Sabha that it doesn't intend to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 to allow more autonomy to the State Medical Councils. In a written reply, the ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that the government do not propose to repeal the Act and explained that the provisions of the Act are being reviewed and amendments carried out as and when necessary.
The ministry, however, acknowledged the recommendations made by the state councils at their National Conference for repealing and re-enacting the Act in consultations with the councils keeping in view the Centre State relationship as envisaged in the Sarkaria Commission report. The question had sought details of the recommendations made by the councils' and the action proposed by the central government in this regard.
Meanwhile the state councils have finalized its recommendations after discussions at the state level. The recommendations have also been officially handed over to the central government it is learnt. The councils are planning to chalk out next course of action.
The councils had felt that a major revamp of the Act is the only way to bring in radical changes in the field of medical profession. The resolutions passed by the national conference were related to the registration of doctors, renewal of registration, anti-quackery movements, grievance redressal etc.
The coordinated attempts of the medical councils have been seen as the first move to arrest the growing public scrutiny against medical profession and also to enhance the quality of medical education in the country.
The councils had pointed out that the existing MCI Act was designed at a time when there were 10 medical colleges in the country. They are of the opinion that with more than 180 medical colleges, the Act with a centralized system of recognition of medical education institutions and monitoring is not at all advisable.
The state councils believe that they are in a better position to know the ground realities in their respective states and therefore could play a major role in ensuing quality medical education in their region.
Twelve out of 17 councils had attended the meeting held during the second week of January 2003.The states represented were Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar and Punjab. Medical Council of India was the 12th council.