NMC chief calls for quality focus as India expands medical education

National Medical Commission chairperson Abhijat Sheth urged for a greater emphasis on quality, competency, and technology-driven learning as India swiftly expands its medical education system. In warning against growth in colleges and seats at the cost of standards, Sheth addressed the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Medical Education Forum in Delhi.

India currently boasts over 800 medical colleges, marking a purposeful national strategy to bolster the healthcare workforce and tackle regional disparities. Over the past decade, India's medical education capacity has skyrocketed; medical colleges have more than doubled to 844, while MBBS seats have nearly tripled from 51,348 to 1,39,489.

Sheth emphasized that the true measure of success lies not in the quantity of doctors produced but in their quality and service to society. As expansion continues, he stressed the utmost importance of maintaining quality while ensuring access and equity. Sheth also highlighted the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in medical education, stating that AI will increasingly aid diagnosis, data analysis, and clinical decision-making.

However, he cautioned that AI should never supersede professional responsibilities and accountability. He urged medical students to not only learn to utilize AI but also understand algorithmic bias, data privacy, cybersecurity, informed consent, and the constraints of AI-generated information. India should develop AI tailored to its unique healthcare challenges and population, Sheth concluded, advocating for a shift towards competency-based education, faculty development, simulation-based learning, and lifelong research to produce doctors poised to shape the future of medicine.