The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged the government to consider a uniform MBBS examination instead of National Exit Test (NEXT). The test was introduced as a substitute to three tests — including NEET for postgraduate admissions, recruitment for central health services, and the foreign graduate medical exam.
“The introduction of NEXT is likely to create discrimination between Indian Medical Graduates (IMG) and Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG). We are of the opinion that the Medical Council of India is empowered enough to check the standards of the final MBBS exam by each medical university/college. The need for another exam when the students have already cleared the final MBBS exam is unclear,” said a release issued by the assoiction.
‘NEXT makes no sense’
Dr. K. K. Aggarwal, IMA president said: “ MBBS doctors are the need of the hour. They need to be cultivated and empowered. They should be involved under retainership in all national health programmes. More than 25,000 postgraduate seats need to be introduced in family medicine. There must be a simpler way for them to get a PG degree after completing their MBBS. It does not make sense for them to appear in another exam (NEXT) to get a license to practice.”
NEXT had earlier been stopped after an all-India strike by medical students on February 1. IMA is now launching No to NEXT 2.0 on June 6 this year. As part of this, all medical students and colleges in the country will go on strike and conduct protest meetings.
Dr. Aggarwal, said: “There is no doubt that the medical profession is facing some of the toughest times so far. It is imperative for both doctors and patients to understand that this relationship is a sacred one and that the dignity of the profession should be maintained.”
