MCI Gives Nod to Corporates to Run Medical Colleges; Approval from Ministry Awaited
However, an Oversight Committee appointed by Supreme Court and the Ministry of Family and Welfare must grant permission for the establishment of medical colleges.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) clarified that “for profit” institutions and corporates could start medical colleges in the country. It has been two months since Niti Aayog recommended privatisation of medical colleges. A general body of the council met on November 22, 2016, to discuss the recommendations made by Niti Aayog.
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Later, it has been confirmed that corporate companies can start medical colleges. However, an Oversight Committee appointed by Supreme Court and the Ministry of Family and Welfare must grant permissions for the establishment of medical colleges.
Either government, non-for-profit society or charitable trust have been running the educational institutes in the country. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules have been obstructing investments from foreign companies in these societies or trusts. However, some of the doctors expressed that allowing corporates will commercialise education. On the other hand, a majority of them hailed the decision and were of the opinion that allowing corporates would improve standards to the level of Harvard and Oxford universities.
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Mr. Tangavelu, one of the members of MCI who attended the meeting pointed that most of the private institutions are making profits through non-transparent and illegal means. Hence, if corporates are legalised, they would charge a very high fee than what they charge now.
The meeting witnessed mixed response from the members. However, the majority of the members supported privatisation. One of the members indicated that a portion of the seats in these institutes should be reserved for students who hail from economically weaker sections.