New Delhi: Even as the union cabinet Wednesday approved the National Medical Commission Bill, 2019, hordes of private medical colleges imparting sub-standard health education are nervous of National Exit Test to be conducted as per the provision of the proposed NMC Act. The NMC Act is going to replace the Medical Council of India(MCI) the sole regulatory body for medical education and doctors conduct.

As per the provision of the Bill, a common final year MBBS examination to be known as National Exit Test (NEXT) will be conducted to issue licenses to the doctors and for entrance to PG medical courses. This would also serve as a screening test for foreign medical graduates.

Presently, once a student entered into medical college after obtaining a NEET rank (whatever may be the rank), he/she ensured to become a doctor to practice after completion of the course. As most of the private medical colleges conduct their the examinations in their campus and as most of the papers are also valued by their own faculty, there is suspicion about the quality of education and the standard of doctors coming out of many sub-standard private medical colleges. In fact, many of the colleges do not have the required faculties and the necessary laboratory and equipment for teaching. While colleges are minting money, the nation gets sub-standard doctors who become threat to the human life.

The NEXT will now screen the MMBS graduates whether they are fit to practice or not.

But, it is to be seen whether this NEXT will fall prey to the trap of the all-powerful private medical college lobby or not to be seen.