NMC notice to PMCH to curtail MBBS seats

The National Medical Commission (NMC), the regulator of medical institutes, has given the state-run Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH), the second oldest medical college in India, one last chance to pay within one month the penalty of ₹4 lakh for existing deficiencies, failing which it will curtail MBBS seats and may additionally slap penalty up to Rs 1 crore, said NMC officials familiar with the matter.

- Ruchir Kumar

PATNA:

The NMC show-cause notice comes at a stage when the PMCH is at the cusp of celebrating its centenary function on February 25, with President Droupadi Murmu scheduled to attend it as the chief guest. The three-day centenary celebrations begin on February 23 with a run at Patna's Ganga Path, followed by three scientific orations the next day.

The latest NMC show-cause notice on February 10 asks the PMCH to remit the penalty amount of ₹4 lakh within 30 days, failing which action, including reduction of MBBS seats in the 2025-26 academic year and/or penalty up to ₹1 crore would be taken. The PMCH has an annual intake of 200 MBBS students. "We have informed the state health department about the NMC notice and are in the process of paying the penalty of ₹4 lakh so that it does not slap harsher penalties against our institute," said Dr Vidyapati Choudhary, principal of the PMCH.