New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining recognition from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for 10 years. This opens doors for Indian medical graduates to practice medicine in foreign countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
This notable accreditation will encompass all 706 existing medical colleges in India under WFME certification, and any new medical colleges established within the next 10 years will automatically gain WFME accreditation.
The official validation from WFME will empower NMC to enhance the quality and standards of medical education in India by aligning them with global best practices and benchmarks.
According to the Union Health Ministry, this accreditation will enhance the international recognition and reputation of Indian medical schools and professionals, promote academic collaborations and exchanges, encourage continuous improvement and innovation in medical education, and foster a culture of quality assurance among medical educators and institutions.
The WFME recognition process incurs a fee of ₹4,98,5142 ($60,000) per medical college, covering the expenses of the site visit team, their travel, and accommodation. This would mean an approximate total cost of ₹351.9 crore ($4,23,60,000) for all 706 medical colleges in India to seek WFME recognition.
It’s worth noting that NMC’s recognition by WFME will apply to all medical colleges under its jurisdiction.
About the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)
The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is a global organization dedicated to improving the quality of medical education worldwide. WFME’s mission is to work towards better healthcare for all.
The primary focus of WFME is to enhance the quality of medical education on a global scale by promoting the highest scientific and ethical standards in medical education, as outlined in the press release from the Health Ministry.
About Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG)
The Union Health Ministry’s official release mentioned the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG), which is the primary authority in the United States responsible for policies and regulations related to licensing International Medical Graduates (IMGs).
IMGs must obtain ECFMG certification to take the USMLEs (United States Medical Licensing Examinations) and apply for residency. Typically, this certification occurs after completing the second year of a medical program and before taking the USMLE Step 1 examination.
In 2010, ECFMG announced a new requirement that was initially set for 2023 but was later moved to 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new rule states that “starting in 2024, individuals applying for ECFMG Certification must be a student or graduate of a medical school that is appropriately accredited. More specifically, the school must be accredited by an accrediting agency that is officially recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).”