Sunday, January 23 2005 11:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A Supreme Court-appointed Expert Committee has accused some States of attempting to dilute high standards in medical education and hospital facilities made mandatory by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

Looking at the large number of litigations challenging the decision of MCI to refuse recognition, increase in the number of seats and introduction of new courses in medical colleges and hospitals, the Court on November 20, 2002 had set up the Committee comprising eminent doctors N Rangabhashyam, Prof P N Tandon and S Kantha to streamline its working.

After closely scrutinising the work of the Council as well as the mode of inspection of institutions by its inspectors, the Committee in its report to the apex Court expressed total satisfaction in its working and recommended that there should be "no compromise" with the autonomy of MCI.

However, the Committee repeatedly found that "some State Governments pitched themselves against the MCI in enforcing its rules and norms which are already upheld by the Courts.

"This should be avoided in the interest of maintaining minimal standards of medical education," it added.

The committee, asked to suggest ways and means to enhance public confidence in MCI, said an atmosphere should be created where States and Universities, instead of positioning against the MCI rules, should adopt an attitude to work in a cohesive and cooperative manner with MCI in mutual interest to ensure strict adherence of minimum norms and rules.

Referring to the spate of litigations against MCI across the country, the expert Committee said the "vilification campaign" against MCI was a direct result of the failure to comply with the minimum standards of education in medical colleges set up by them and the subsequent refusal by the Council to recommend recognition of their institutions.

The report stated that "it deserves to be appreciated that those who are not able to secure permission on account of negative recommendations made by MCI for their failure to provide the minimum norms and facilities, then as an easiest available refuse invariably attempt to generate a negative and un-healthy criticism on the functioning of the council."

The Expert Committee also identified a number of areas of concern including the proliferation of medical colleges, especially in the private sector without there being any evaluation of national needs.

As a direct consequence of such proliferation, there was undue pressure to admit students without putting in place appropriate infrastructure, faculty etc in some of these colleges, it said.

"Even in Government colleges in some of the States, the existing facilities do not meet the minimum norms and requirements, it said adding "the universities and the State Governments deserve to be sensitised towards the issue of enforcement of the minimum norms and standards prescribed by the Council."