No MBBS permission to medical colleges without BSL 2 Labs: MCI

The decision is taken in light of the increasing rate of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the efforts of the apex medical regulator to empower all the medical colleges to set up laboratories to tackle the pandemic of infectious diseases.

Medical Colleges not having BSL-2 Level testing Laboratories will not be given permission to teach MBBS courses in the coming time. According to the official notice released by the Medical Council of India (MCI), the Minimum Standard requirements for 50 100 150/200/250 MBBS admissions annual regulations is now amended. The reports suggest that the decision is taken in light of the increasing rate of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the efforts of the apex medical regulator to empower all the medical colleges to set up laboratories to tackle the pandemic of infectious diseases.

The reports also suggest that with these newly amended regulations, in order to run the MBBS course in their institutes, the medical colleges are required to set up Bio-Safety (BS) level 2 testing facility for infectious pathogens in the Department of Microbiology.  The rule would be applicable to all medical colleges alike, whether they are applying to start the course, or applying for renewal and recognitions.

The official notice released by the Medical Council of India (MCI) reads, “Accordingly, (a) Medical Colleges awarding recognised MBBS degrees; (b) Medical Colleges that are in any phase of renewal (first/second/third/fourth/recognition); (c) Medical Colleges that are in the phase of seeking an increase in intake of MBBS; and (d) All applicants who have applied to BOG, MCI for grant of permission to establish a new Medical College from the academic year 2020-21; are required to comply with the above. Compliance of the aforesaid provision of provisions shall be assessed during the assessment that may be due in respect of the above categories of Medical College. Further, where assessment is not due under section 10A or section 11 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 the BoG, MCI may cause an assessment to verify compliance of the provisions of Regulations.”

The council in its notice further stated that no recognition will be given to the medical colleges if, during the inspection, the MCI assessors somehow find that medical colleges don't have these lab facilities. The amendment, which has been put to effect, was issued by the MCI BoG's Secretary-General Dr RK Vats clearly spells out the aforementioned and states, “Failure to establish BSL-2 Level testing Laboratory shall be construed as a violation of minimum standard requirements laid down by the BOG, MCI and would lead to denial of permission or recommendation to Central Government for withdrawal of recognition, if already recognised.”

It was earlier decided to set up BSL level 2 labs in the light of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India later accorded approval to the amendment made to the Minimum Standard Requirements for 50 100/150/200/250 MBBS Admissions annually Regulations for the inclusion of BSL-2 level laboratory' testing facility for infectious pathogens in the Department of Microbiology in All Medical Colleges/lnstitutes.

However, now MCI issued recent orders mandating all medical colleges to set up these labs if they intend to start and run the MBBS courses considering the need for these facilities to conduct tests of infectious diseases including COVID 19 and HI NI flu.

To check the complete notice CLICK HERE

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