The Medical Council of India has issued a circular declaring the post-graduate course inemergency medicine offered by Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri and AMRIHospital in Bhubaneshwar'illegal' and advised all concerned 'not to enrol themselves in such courses' which were not accorded permission by Centre.
The circular said the PG diploma in HIV Medicine, Health Management, Maternal and Child Health and Geriatric Medicine offered by the Indira Gandhi Open University was also illegal.
According to the circular, these courses 'have not been accorded permission by the central government as required under the Indian Medical Council Act 1956'.
'Consequently, such qualifications are non-recognised and the holders thereof are not entitled to seek registration of additional qualification with the concerned medical council. Thus the offering of such post-graduate courses in modern medicine are illegal and void ab initio,' it stated.
Under the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act 1956, prior permission of the central government is required to establish a new medical college and impart courses in modern medicine. Such permission is granted on the recommendation of the MCI.
'The admissions made by any institution that imparts courses in modern medicine, namely MBBS or Diploma in various streams of medicine; MD/MS/DM/M.Ch without the prior of the central government is illegal,' stated the circular dated September 28 and signed by MCI secretary Dr Reena Nayyar.
'WE HAVE US TIE-UP, DIDN'T CLAIM MCI NOD'
Dr Ram Narain, executive director of Kokilaben Hospital, Andheri, said the prospectus for the PG course in emergency medicine does not mention that it hasMCI recognition. 'We take 12 students every year who are awarded a certificate of completion of training,' said Dr Narain. He added that the students were aware about the course having an association with an American medical school and not the MCI.
Similarly, Dr Salil Mohanty, vice-president, AMRI, Bhubaneshwar, said, 'Doctors who have taken admission in our PG course in emergency medicine know it is not recognised by the MCI. At the time of admission, they are clearly told about this. Such a course does not need the MCI's recognition.'