The National National Medical Commission (NMC) has revoked the recognition of 40 medical institutions across the country including top medical colleges of Assam- Assam Medical College, Gauhati Medical College, and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital (FAAMC) in Barpeta.

The decision was made following recent inspections which led to the revelation that these institutions failed to adhere to the NMC criteria.

According to reports, there are three main reasons for the colleges to lose their recognition:

Lapses in security system and CCTV cameras, Lapses in Aadhar-based biometric attendance, Vacant faculty posts in most colleges.

However, these medical colleges may appeal this decision within 30 days and the first appeal can be filed to the NMC. If the appeal is rejected, the institutions can also approach the Union Ministry of Health for additional relief.

As per reports, more than 100 institutions in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Puducherry, Punjab, and West Bengal will have to face similar action.

According to Government statistics, the number of medical colleges have increased significantly since 2014.

Earlier, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that government will take strict actions against medical colleges failing to adhere to the NMC's rules and regulations.

The prospective de-recognition of 150 additional institutions in addition to these 40 medical colleges presents a grave concern for the nation.

In 2014, there number of medical colleges in India was 387. In 2023, the number has increased to 660. While 22 of them are All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) up from seven in 2014, reported news agency ANI.

Additionally, the number of MBBS seats has increased by 94% from 51,348 in 2014 to 99,763 in the present, and the number of PG seats has increased by 10% from 31,185 in 2014 to 64,559 in the present.

(Source- The Sentinel, Assam)