Plan to overhaul MCI set in motion
The BJP government has begun work on a major overhaul of the Medical Council of India as it looks to create more medical colleges and produce more doctors to cater to growing healthcare needs. Sources said during a review meeting of the health sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the health ministry had discussed the option of even scrapping the country's apex medical education regulator which has been shrouded in controversy in recent years. Although sources ruled out such a drastic meas- ure, the government has set up a three-member committee to prepare a blueprint to revamp the current setup. The high-powered committee has Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya, PM's additional principal secretary P K Mishra and Niti Aayog chief executive officer Amitabh Kant as members. Sources said that at the meeting it was pointed out that the MCI is one of the major stumbling blocks towards a faster expansion, especially when it comes to ensuring quality educa