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To,
The Honourable Minister of Health and Family Welfare,
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Nirman Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road,
New Delhi – 110011
Subject: Request for Cancellation of Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for Foreign Medical Graduates
Respected Sir/Madam,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to bring to your kind attention the challenges faced by foreign medical graduates like myself due to the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) regulations as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act. As a Medical Graduate, I would like to highlight the following points:
1. Redundancy of CRMI for Foreign Medical Graduates: Many foreign medical graduates have already completed 12-Month Clerkship/internship as part of their medical education abroad. Requiring us to undergo another internship in India seems redundant and unfair, especially when we have already demonstrated our competence by passing the FMGE. The CRMI requirement does not take into account the rigorous training and practical experience we have already gained during our internships abroad.
2. Extended Delay in Career Progression: The requirement to undergo an additional 12 months or 2 Years of internship after passing the FMGE (As per Notice published on NMC official website dated 7th June 2024 by Dr. Aruna V. Vanikar, President UGMEB, National Medical Commission, India), coupled with the time taken to prepare for and pass the FMGE itself, results in an extended period of time before we can start practicing medicine in India. This delay not only affects our career progression but also places a financial burden on us and our families. The prolonged period of uncertainty and lack of income can be detrimental to our professional and personal lives.
3. Financial Burden: The additional year of internship imposes a significant financial burden on foreign medical graduates and their families. Many of us have already invested substantial amounts of money in our medical education abroad. The CRMI requirement adds to this financial strain, making it difficult for us to support ourselves and our families during this period.
4. Impact on Healthcare System: The delay in allowing foreign medical graduates to practice medicine in India also has an impact on the healthcare system. At a time when there is a shortage of medical professionals in the country, it is counterproductive to impose additional barriers that prevent qualified doctors from contributing to the healthcare workforce. By exempting foreign medical graduates who have already completed Clerkship abroad from the CRMI requirement, we can address this shortage and improve access to healthcare for the population.
5. Shortage of Doctors in Rural Areas: Rural India is facing a severe shortage of doctors and healthcare professionals. According to recent reports, there is a significant shortfall of specialist doctors in community health centres (CHCs) in rural areas, with a shortage of over 76% in terms of specialists like surgeons, gynaecologists, physicians, and paediatricians¹. This shortage has a direct impact on the quality of healthcare services available to the rural population. By allowing foreign medical graduates to start practicing without the additional CRMI requirement, we can help bridge this gap and provide much-needed medical services to underserved rural areas.
6. Improving Healthcare Access: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical gaps in India’s healthcare system, especially in rural areas. The lack of infrastructure, inadequate supply of medicines and equipment, and shortage of healthcare providers have all contributed to the challenges faced by the rural population².Allowing foreign medical graduates to practice without the additional CRMI requirement can help improve healthcare access and address some of these challenges.
In light of the above, I humbly request the Central Government of India to reconsider the CRMI regulations for foreign medical graduates. I urge you to consider exempting foreign medical graduates who have already completed 12 Months Clerkship abroad from the CRMI requirement, or to provide an alternative pathway that allows us to start practicing medicine in India without undue delay.
I sincerely hope that you will consider our request and take the necessary steps to address this issue. Your support and understanding in this matter will go a long way in helping foreign medical graduates like myself to contribute to the healthcare system in India.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
References:
¹: 80% Shortage of Specialist Doctors in CHCs: Rural Health Statistics report by Ministry of Health. Retrieved from [Public Health Chronicle] (https://www.publichealthchronicle.in/news-analysis-collection-1-4/80%25-shortage-of-specialist-doctors-in-chcs%3A-rural-health-statistics-report-by-ministry-of-health).
²: Rural India Is Struggling With a ‘Missing Doctors Syndrome’. Retrieved from [The Wire] (https://science.thewire.in/health/rural-india-is-struggling-with-a-missing-doctors-syndrome/).
Yours faithfully,
[YOUR NAME}