NMC Philippines Notice: Parents start protest demanding exemption

Hundreds of parents of Indian students who are pursuing medical education from the Philippines today gathered at Jantar Mantar demanding exemption for students who took admission before the NMC Notification came in 2021.  

“Our parents have invested a huge amount of money and this NMC notification came after we took the enrolment. Therefore, we want relaxation for the students who were doing undergraduate at the time this gazette was brought into action,” says Shvetank Mishra (name changed), one of the students who is pursuing his medical education in the Philippines.

He added that the decision is very pro-India as India gets quality doctors but the issue with the Indian students in the Philippines is that have to undergo a compulsory two years under graduation before they enter medicine. Some countries like Russia take exams in Russia for granting licenses.

“This gazette was brought public on November 18, 2022, and it was said that the students who were admitted before this date would be given relaxation irrespective they are in undergraduate courses. “Later on this was changed and said that the students who moved to medicine before the 18th will only be given relaxation,” adds Mishra sharing his ordeal.

Today parents of several Indian students who are in the Philippines gathered at Jantar Mantar demanding exemption for students who took admission before the NMC Notification came.  

What does NMC Notification say?

The National Medical Commission (NMC) came up with a Public notice on March 25, 2022, after analyzing the course structure in the Philippines came up with its decision. NMC noted that BS and MD courses are two separate degrees in the Philippines. BS Course cannot be equated/included with MBBS course.

It stated that after the publication of Gazette Notification dated 18.11.2021 i.e. NMC's FMGL Regulations 2021, the students who have already taken admission for any foreign medical qualification/course which is not equivalent to the MBBS Course in India, cannot be treated as eligible qualification for registration to practice medicine in India. Whereas, the students who have been admitted to the MD course in the Philippines prior to FMGL Regulations 2021 can be considered subject to fulfilling other prevailing eligibility criteria for registration.

One of the parents speaking to Shiksha.com claimed that the students who took admission prior to the notification issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) will suffer. He said: “We urge the Health Minister, NMC to look into the issue. Earlier students after completing their medical education sued to come back to India and then take the FMGE exam to be eligible to practice in India. The changed rules have put undue pressure on parents who have taken loans to send their children to study medical education outside India.”

These parents are demanding that the students who studied medicine in the Philippines be granted permanent registration without asking for a 12-month internship under the Compulsory Rotatory Medical Internship (CRMI) Regulations, 2021.

The parents gathered and staged a demonstration demanding the exemption from the National Medical Commission's (NMC) gazette for the students of the 2019, 2020, and 2021 batches and also for those who took admission before November 18, 2021.

Another parent added that children who have gone to study abroad are also under mental stress because of these changed regulations, “We want our children who went to study abroad prior to the NMC notification, should be exempted.” She added.      

The NMC rule mentions that students who want to pursue medical College in a foreign University their university have to have a course duration of at least 5.5 years same as of Indian Medical College and also they need to be locally registered which shows that the country is not just giving low quality education as their enrollment of students is very huge.

UNJUST NMC Circular- adversely affects students pursuing MD in the Philippines

The parents have stated that the Medical Degree “MD (Doctor of Medicine like in the USA)” of the Philippines is World Wide recognized and equivalent to an MBBS in India.

Owing to the unjust NMC Circular of 25th March 2022, with retrospective effect has caused grave injustice to the Indian Foreign Medical Students pursuing or completing Pre Med Course (BS) or those who joined the MD Course prior to 18th November 2021 NMC Gazette and be exempted under Rule 5(1) of NMC Gazette

According to the curriculum norms of the Philippines, admission to MD is granted only after successful completion of Pre-Medical Course (BS – Bachelor of Science & India NEET qualified)

Protesting parents have stated that these Indian Foreign Medical MD Graduates have been successfully practicing in India past over 15 years after successful completion of the MD Curriculum and clearing FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Exams) in India. Results of FMGE's past many years reveal the highest percentile of the Philippines Indian Medical Graduates.

Assurance from the Indian Embassy in the Philippines

The parents have claimed that parents and students made several visits and called the NMC Office several times after the 18th November 2021 Gazette which clearly said students doing BS or Pre-Medical or AB Course or Undergoing MD are exempted from the Gazette norms. Therefore, the students continued their BS Course or Joined MD in the Philippines.

Further, the Indian Embassy in the Philippines vide its Advisory dated 4th January 2022 conveyed that the students currently pursuing Pre Med (BS/AB) courses and will commence Medical Degree (MD) only after 18th November 2021 Gazette would require Special Relaxation from NMC

However, in spite of repeated approaches’ to NMC, the students were helpless and could not get justice. But, a later Public Notice of 25 March 2022 shocked all the students of the 2020 & 2021 batches of BS + MD who were not granted exemption from the regulations.

“It is not only, an additional 2.5 years of Career but an additional burden of over Rs 20 lakhs for the extended duration as per Gazette to the students from Middle-Class families with many having taken Educational Loans,” says one of the parents.

The Philippines is one of the most favourable countries to pursue a Medical Degree with a noticeable passing percentage in the FMGE exam because of many notable features such as the use of English language of instructions & teachings, English-speaking patients, well-versed hospitals equipped with huge medical infrastructures, same patterns alike India, thorough preparations in practical’s & internship’s, lower cost of education & above all following proximity to USA pattern.

“We the parents and students of 2020 & 2021 BS + MD Philippines batch humbly request with folded hands & authorities concerned to kindly GIVE ONE TIME EXEMPTION and withdraw 25th March 2022 NMC Public Notice & Keep the students of these batches away from the purview of 18th Nov 2021 Gazette and be protected under Rule 5(1). The matter being serious magnitude and of the student’s career & financial losses needs urgent attention,” demanded parents.

The NMC Regulations 2021

The NMC notice says: "Bridging BS Course is a course for Bachelor of Science for candidates seeking to join courses in the field of Science & Research in the Philippines. The said course comprises of subjects of Biology similar to Class 11th & 12th in India."