NMC's Revised Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum: Impacts on Transgender Health and Inclusivity
Transgender Health and Inclusivity in Medical Education
The recent revisions to the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum by the National Medical Commission (NMC) have sparked significant concern among disability rights activists and advocates for transgender health. The lack of inclusion of critical disability and transgender rights laws in the new curriculum raises serious questions about the commitment to inclusivity and equity in medical education.
Ministry Intervention: A Call for Action
On October 14, 2024, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment sought a response from the NMC regarding the non-inclusion of key provisions from the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. In an official memorandum, the ministry directed the NMC to review a representation submitted by Siddhartha Singh, Doctors with Disabilities, and Air Commodore (Dr) Sanjay Sharma (Retd.), CEO of the MD Association for Transgender Health.
International Backlash: Threats to NMC's Recognition
- Two international organisations advocating for disability inclusion in medical education and transgender health have threatened to complain against NMC to the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
- The organizations expressed dismay at the NMC's guidelines, which they describe as ableist and transphobic.
- They highlighted that the NMC's omission of rights provisions not only contravenes the 2016 and 2019 Acts but also risks its recognition by the WFME.
CBME Controversy: From Release to Withdrawal
The new CBME curriculum was released on August 31, 2024, but was deemed outdated and contradictory to Supreme Court judgments and previous guidelines. Following widespread media coverage and public backlash, the curriculum was withdrawn on Teachers' Day, September 5, 2024. However, the revised curriculum released on September 12, 2024 also failed to reintegrate essential disability competencies and adequately address transgender health issues.
Explained: The Controversy Surrounding NMC’s Revised Curriculum
The NMC’s revised curriculum has sparked controversy, with critics highlighting several key areas of concern. The omission of essential terms poses an ongoing challenge for inclusivity in healthcare.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.