All you need to know about the bill that has the country's medical fraternity on the edge:
- Medical Council of India replaced by National Medical Commission (NMC).
- The bill does not openly talk of a bridge course for Ayush doctors.
- Introduces Community Health Providers (CHPs) - Persons granted a licence to practice medicine at mid-level - not clear as to what kind of professionals could be certified as CHPs.
- Common final-year MBBS exam - National Exit Test (NEXT) - for admission to PG courses and obtaining a practice licence.
- Final year MBBS exam be treated as an entrance test for PG and a screening test for foreign college students.
- States can only "advise" the NMC - The council can choose not to accept.
- Power to determine fees in 50% private medical college seats.
- Ethics board will exercise appellate jurisdiction with respect to actions taken by state medical councils.
- Empowers centre to override any suggestion of the NMC.
