Medicos of Rajiv Gandhi Govt Hospital College abstain from classes

Medical students belonging to Chennai Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital and College today abstained from classes and held a protest against the National Medical Commission bill that has been passed in both Houses of Parliament.

The medicos are against the formation of the National Medical Commission and conduct of NEXT which qualifies them to take up postgraduate studies.

The controversial bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with the National Medical Commission.

But the Indian Medical Association has been going hammer and tongs at it and has threatened to intensify the protest against the new commission.

Section 15 (1) of the bill proposes a common final-year MBBS exam, the National Exit Test (NEXT), before an individual starts practising medicine and for seeking admission to postgraduate medical courses. It is necessary for enrolment in the State register or national register. It will also be a screening test for foreign medical graduates.

The medicos have completely rejected NEXT.