Experts Call for Revision of NMC's CBME Guidelines to Support LGBTQIA+ Rights and Disabilities
Review of Current CBME Guidelines
The National Medical Commission (NMC) released the revised Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) guidelines recently, which have drawn criticism for being biased against the transgender and disabled communities. Stakeholders argue these guidelines do not meet the minimum standards set by the World Federation for Medical Education and violate the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It has also raised concerns about its alignment with the sustainable development goals.
Key Issues Raised by Experts
- Removal of important terminology relating to sexual offenses
- Inclusion of outdated references to LGBTQIA+ individuals
- Failure to adhere to the Supreme Court directives on decriminalization of same-sex relationships
Future Directions
Experts stress the need for medical curriculum developers to be updated on scientific progress concerning LGBTQIA+ health needs. The omission of relevant topics in the guidelines is seen as a major setback for achieving inclusivity. Dr. Vignesh Dhananjayan, a transgender intern, expressed disappointment at the lack of provisions for the LGBTQIA+ community in the latest guidelines, calling for a comprehensive review and consultation with stakeholders.
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