India has fraction of the doctors and medical professionals it needs, even as healthcare is increasingly becoming a politically important issue. In this context, the Government of India recently passed the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act 2019, which wants to usher in a new regulatory apparatus for medical education in the country. A welcome replacement for a corrupt and dysfunctional Medical Council of India, the NMC Act is not without its share of protests and criticisms. Sambit Dash joins Pavan Srinath on Episode 108 of the Pragati to talk about medical education and the NMC Act.

The Pragati Podcast is a weekly talkshow on public policy, economics and international relations hosted by Pavan Srinath. Announcement: New episodes of The Pragati Podcast will be out every Wednesday, starting next week.

Sambit Dash teaches biochemistry to medical students at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and is an alumnus of the Takshashila Institution. He writes extensively on various policy issues, especially various aspects of medical education.

Suggested readings & podcasts:

1. [Podcast] The Medical Council of India: http://www.seenunseen.in/episodes/2017/3/7/episode-8-the-medical-council-of-india
2. [Livemint] Is NEXT the panacea for medical education woes? https://www.livemint.com/Education/MkZvFhKf39vIbKXmlDEfwK/Is-NEXT-the-panacea-for-medical-education-woes.html
3. [The Wire] What's next for the NMC Bill? Confusion. https://thewire.in/health/nmc-bill-mbbs-exit-exam
4. [EPW] Exit Exam in Medical Education: Whatever NEXT? https://www.epw.in/journal/2017/52/commentary/whatever-next.html
5. [The Wire] It's a Bad Idea to Outright Reject Bridge Courses for Healthcare Professionals. https://thewire.in/health/its-a-bad-idea-to-outright-reject-bridge-courses-for-healthcare-professionals

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