Indian medical grads can now practice in US, Canada, Australia and NZ. What’s new?

Good news abounds for medical students based in India, as the National Medical Commission (NMC) has received a ten-year recognition status from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

What

The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) has granted long-awaited ten-year recognition to the Indian National Medical Commission (NMC), enabling medical professionals to practice and train in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

As a result of this recent recognition, all 706 existing medical colleges will attain WFME accreditation, and any new medical colleges established in the next decade will automatically receive WFME accreditation.

The Union Health Ministry announced this significant change through a special press release.

What is the WFME?

The World Federation for Medical Education is a non-governmental organization that oversees the smooth operation of medical institutes worldwide, ensuring the quality of education and infrastructure provided at all WFME-accredited institutes.

For medical students to practice or train in medicine in countries other than their own, they must hold a degree from a WFME-accredited medical institution. This requirement had previously posed challenges for Indian medical graduates seeking to practice medicine outside of India, limiting their options to Asian and African countries.

What changed?

• In 2010, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) introduced new requirements set to take effect in 2024 (originally planned for 2023 but postponed due to COVID-19).
• These requirements mandated that applicants for ECFMG certification be students of WFME-accredited medical schools.
• This posed a significant hurdle for Indian medical students because Indian medical institutions did not have WFME recognition at that time.

How does the recognition help?

The WFME recognition process incurs a cost of $60,000 (Rs 4,98,5142) for each medical college, covering expenses related to on-site inspections, team travel, and lodging during evaluations. This recognition aims to enhance the international standing and reputation of Indian medical institutions, ultimately improving the quality of education provided at accredited Indian medical colleges.

The Rs 4,98,5142 ($60,000) fee received by each medical college after WFME recognition will play a pivotal role in advancing the quality of education and infrastructure development.