Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Explains Rules for Doctors Who Studied Abroad

What’s the Big Rule Here?

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is like India’s “supervisor” of medical rules. They decide how doctors should be trained to ensure they’re ready to treat patients safely. Every state, including Andhra Pradesh, must follow these rules—no exceptions!

Why Are Some Doctors Doing Extra Training?

Some doctors studied medicine in colleges outside India (like in Russia or Ukraine). But because of COVID-19 or the RusRussia- Ukrainer, many couldn’t go to their classes in person. Instead, they took online classes for part of their studies.

Here’s the problem:

• Learning medicine isn’t just about books and videos. Doctors need to practice on real patients, watch surgeries, and work in hospitals. Online classes can’t teach that!

• So, the NMC says: If you missed too much in-person training, you need to make up for it in India.

How Much Extra Training?

• Example 1: If you did online classes only in your last year, you’ll do the following:

  • 1 year of “clinical clerkship” (like shadowing senior doctors).

  • 1 year of internship (hands-on work in hospitals).

  • Total = 2 years.

• Example 2: If you did online classes for two years, you’ll do the following:

  • 2 years of clinical clerkship.

  • 1 year of internship.

  • Total = 3 years.

Why Are Some Doctors Angry?

Some FMGs thought they could skip part of their training because their foreign colleges gave them “compensation certificates” (like a note saying, “They missed classes because of war/COVID”). But when the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council checked these certificates:

• The notes didn’t say exactly how long they studied online.

• So, the council said, “We can’t trust this. You need to finish the full training to be safe!”

What About Doctors Who Studied Fully In-Person Abroad?

If you studied 100% in-person (no online classes) in another country, you only need to do 1 year of internship in India. After that, you’re good to go!

Here’s an example to understand the situation better: Why Can’t the State Council Change the Rules?
Think of it like this:

• The NMC is like the principal of a school.

• The Andhra Pradesh Medical Council is like a teacher.

• The teacher can’t ignore the principal’s rules, even if some students ask for shortcuts.

What’s Happening Now?

The Andhra Pradesh Medical Council is talking to the NMC to figure out fair solutions for FMGs who feel stuck. But for now, the rules stay the same—because patient safety is the biggest priority!

The main reason behind taking this step is that the government wants every doctor to be super-prepared before treating people. It might take longer for some, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!