Physicians with U.S. postgraduate degrees can now practice medicine in India and teach at the country's medical colleges.
The health ministry has decided to recognize advanced medical degrees from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in a bid to encourage Indian doctors to return home to meet the growing shortage of physicians in the country. There is one doctor per 1,634 people in India.
Thus far, India has only recognized medical degrees from countries with which it had reciprocal agreements to recognize Indian degrees, such as Bangladesh, Ireland and Nepal. Recognition of medical degrees from Japan, France, Germany and other European nations is in the offing.
The Medical Council of India has opposed the move, protesting that many foreign institutions are inadequate or inconsistent with the Indian medical educational system, so allowing "doctors with such degrees to teach and practice in India seriously risked patient health." | |
