NMC Issues Notices to Over 100 Medical Colleges Over Low Patient Load, Staff Shortages Ahead of MBBS Admissions

Ahmedabad Mirror reported that the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued notices to more than 100 medical colleges across India after inspections identified deficiencies in patient load and faculty strength. The institutions have been given 45 days to address the shortcomings ahead of the upcoming MBBS admission process.

The inspections come as the NMC reviews whether medical colleges continue to comply with the infrastructure, clinical exposure, and staffing commitments required for approval to offer MBBS courses. The institutions that fail to rectify the gaps within the stipulated period may face regulatory action that could affect their participation in the upcoming medical admission process.

According to Ahmedabad Mirror, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued the notices as part of its review of whether medical colleges were complying with the Minimum Standard Requirements (MSR) laid down for undergraduate medical education ahead of the upcoming MBBS admission process.

Under the existing norms, a medical college with 150 MBBS seats must maintain an average daily Outpatient Department (OPD) attendance of at least 800 patients, around 480 admitted patients in its attached teaching hospital, and 204 doctors and staff members.

Several institutions recorded lower-than-required OPD attendance and inpatient numbers. Adequate patient inflow is essential because it provides MBBS students with supervised clinical exposure, a key component of medical training.

It further reported that government medical colleges in Junagadh and Jamnagar, along with more than two other institutions in Gujarat, were among those served notices for the reported deficiencies.

Clinical training is a fundamental part of undergraduate medical education. Medical students develop diagnostic ability, communication skills, and practical clinical experience by examining patients under the supervision of teaching faculty.

Adequate patient inflow provides MBBS students with supervised clinical exposure, an essential part of medical training.

Without adequate patient volume or qualified faculty, students may graduate with limited hands-on clinical experience, even if they complete the prescribed academic curriculum.

Ahmedabad Mirror reported that the National Medical Commission (NMC) had received complaints alleging that some medical colleges showed "ghost patients" and manipulated patient figures to meet mandatory norms during inspections. The newspaper said the complaints are under review. The NMC has not publicly confirmed these allegations.

Medsnaps reported that the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) monitored compliance using digital tools, including the Aadhaar-Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) and centralized CCTV surveillance. However, the NMC has not issued an official statement confirming these specific details.

Also see: Indore’s ‘Ghost Hospital’: Khajrana Civil Hospital Has 87 Staff but No Building After Six Years

The notices come as the National Medical Commission (NMC) reviews whether medical colleges continue to meet the standards required to offer MBBS courses ahead of the upcoming admission process.

According to Ahmedabad Mirror, institutions that fail to rectify the reported deficiencies within 45 days could face regulatory action that may affect their participation in the upcoming MBBS admission process.

(Rh/TP/MSM)