Question : Migration of Doctors and Nurses

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Medical Council of India (MCI) has issued Good Standing Certificates (GSCs) to doctors going to work in hospital abroad;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether this procedure is mandatory, if so, the details thereof along with the number of such certificates issued by MCI during each of the last three years and the current year; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to check the brain drain of doctors and nurses?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a) to (c): Yes, on the basis of the request of the doctor concerned who is registered with the Medical Council of India/State Medical Council, the Medical Council of India issues certificate of Good Standing to the doctor concerned.

In the last three years and current year (till 30.06.2016), the MCI has issued certificate of Good Standing as per details below:-

S.N. Years
Good Standing Certificate issued by Council
1. 2013-14 1623
2. 2014-15 1551
3. 2015-16 1527
4. 2016-17
(upto 30.06.2016) 356


(d): The following steps have been taken by the Central Government to check brain drain of the doctors:

I. Statement of Need (SON) Certificates and Exceptional Need Certificates (ENC) are issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to Indian doctors to enable them to pursue higher medical studies abroad, including the United States of America (USA). While applying for issuance of these certificates, the applicant files a Written Assurance with the Government that He/She will return to India upon completion of training in the USA.

II. As per extant guidelines, No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) Certificate is not issued to anyone under any circumstances, except in cases where the age of the applicant is over 65 (sixty-five) years on the date of submission of application”.

The following initiatives have been taken by the Central Government for upgrading skills and to provide better career progression to nurses.

I. Faculty Development Programme has been initiated with special focus on PG education.

II. A “Continuing Nursing Education Programme” has been started for different areas of specialization for staff nurses.

III. A Nurse Practitioner’s Course in Critical Care Curriculum (Post Graduate- Residency Programme) has been launched to meet the challenges and demand of tertiary health care services in India.