The newly appointed Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), Dr. Abhijat Sheth, has outlined his key priorities for the statutory body-introducing a uniform licensing process for doctors across India, strengthening teamwork within the system, and improving the public’s perception of the NMC.
Dr. Sheth’s appointment comes at a time when the medical education sector is facing scrutiny, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing allegations of corruption in granting approvals to private medical colleges. While declining to comment on the ongoing investigation, Dr. Sheth admitted that reports of “MBBS seat booking,” where students reportedly pay large sums of money to secure admission in some private colleges, are worrying.
“What exactly happens between students and college authorities is something only investigating agencies can determine,” he said. He explained that the high fees in private medical colleges often raise eyebrows, but added that quality education-whether public or private-comes at a cost. “People rarely consider how much the government spends to train one doctor. When you compare that with private sector costs, it may appear expensive. It’s all about perception. Yes, fees seem high, but over time, we will look for ways to make them more reasonable,” he said.
Dr. Sheth stressed that private institutions must remain viable while ensuring education stays affordable for the average family. He also highlighted that India already has several well-equipped government medical colleges with significant intake capacity, but many are not operating at full potential. “The government has launched many initiatives to increase medical seats and strengthen existing colleges, but we need to ensure these institutes are utilized fully,” he added.
Pointing to the private sector’s crucial role in healthcare, Dr. Sheth noted that only about 40% of the country’s medical services-including education, diagnostics, and treatment-fall under the government. “To train doctors in new technologies and methods, we need to work closely with the private sector as partners. They have vast learning resources, and we are exploring how best to integrate them into the system,” he said.
Looking ahead, the NMC will focus on improving education standards, ensuring good governance, and making its processes more accessible for students and doctors. Dr. Sheth emphasized reducing red tape and replacing lengthy, complex procedures with coordinated and efficient teamwork.
