Question : MEDICAL DEGREES FROM SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

(a) whether the Medical Council of India (MCI) recognises the medical degree obtained by Indian students from the South Asian countries;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor indicating the policy outlined by the MCI in this regard;

(c) whether the Government has received any requests/proposals from certain South Asian countries to inspect/verify the status of medical colleges in these countries;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the follow up action taken/proposed by the Government thereon?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) & (b) Recognition of undergraduate medical degrees obtained by Indian students from foreign countries including South Asian countries is not required since the introduction of Screening Test Regulations, 2002. In so far as Post Graduate medical degrees of foreign countries are concerned, Screening Test Regulations, 2002 are not applicable and Post Gra duate degrees of foreign countries are granted recognition by the Central Government after due consultation with Medical Council of India (MCI).

(c) to (e) In recent past, proposals for recognition of postgraduate medical degrees have been received from Nepal by the Central Government through MCI and approval has been granted by the Government wherever MCI has recommended the same on the basis of inspection carried out by inspectors appointed by MCI. In addition, a proposal has also been received from Gove rnment of Bangladesh for recognition of MD (Cardiology) and MCI has nominated inspector to carry out the inspection of the medical facilities at the institute concerned.