National Medical Commission: Online Medical Classes Only Valid During COVID-19 Pandemic

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The National Medical Commission has released the latest notification clarifying that the online classes for MBBS are available in the times of coronavirus.

The online classes for MBBS colleges are approved by MCI and will continue during the time of COVID-19.

The official notification stated that the media operates that claims that online theory classes for MBBS students are not valid and not approved by the Media Council of India (MCI) are not true.

The online classes are valid and approved by the authority in the time of coronavirus only.

The notification further clarified that media reports are making false assumptions based on erstwhile MCI response to an RTI query about the MBBS teaching curriculum by the foreign medical university through online mode.

National Medical Commission to Dean/Principal of all medical colleges/institutions wrote "Attention of National Medical Commission has been drawn to some media reports that online classes for teaching of MBBS curriculum were not approved by erstwhile MCI. In this regard, it is clarified that in view of Pandemic COVID-19 the Medical Colleges/Institutions in India are conducting online theory classes for MBBS students."

The letter further Read More, "Online classes are valid and were approved for teaching during the current Pandemic COVID-19 only. Such online theory classes are required to be supplemented by practical and clinical training as per the current curriculum in all MBBS subjects in the Colleges/Institutions and affiliated hospitals as and when colleges reopen".

The National Medical Commission has clarified the media reports of MCI disapproving online classes for the MBBS curriculum.

The commission notified that the online classes are valid for MBBS Students and are approved by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

According to Dr. RK’s statement, he stated that online classes are valid and approved for teachers in the time of pandemic only.

He said, “Such online theory classes are required to be supplemented by practical and clinical training as per the current curriculum in all MBBS subjects in the Colleges/Institutions and affiliated hospitals as and when colleges reopen.”

The misinterpretation cropped up because of MCI's response to an application under RTI that said, "The Medical Council of India doesn’t recognize/approve any online teaching in MBBS on its equivalent medical courses.”

To clear the confusion, Dr. Vats said, “In reference to the conduct of MBBS teaching curriculum by foreign medical universities through online medium only.”

Students who are studying MBBS courses in India have questioned the dual criteria for the online classes.

A student of an undergraduate medical program from Ukraine stated the same criteria for online classes should be applicable to foreign students as well so that they can continue their education via online mode.

The supplemented practical and clinical training can be done once students are allowed to travel to their respective colleges in other countries, he added.

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