Doctor accreditation in India

It is estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 doctors and nurses are graduating from the Indian education system each year and many of the doctors then go on to study and train further in the UK, and become registered with the General Medical Council. 

The basic or degree level qualification for a medical profession is a MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) which involves studying for five and a half years, including a one year internship. The course covers anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, forensic medicine, general medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, ENT (ear, nose and throat), gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics, orthopaedics and preventive and social medicine. 

 

After MBBS, candidates can go for post graduate level studies (MD or MS) and at post graduate level they can specialise in Medicine and Surgery.  Post Graduate Programs (MD or MS) usually last three years.  Those with Post Graduation (MD or MS or M.Sc in Medicine) can further opt for super-specialisation. i.e. they can go for Ph.D in any specialised area of medicine.  MD or MS holders can complete the Doctoral Programme (Ph.D) in two years and M.Sc Medicine holders in three years. 

 

All physicians or surgeons need to have completed the MBBS course at a recognised medical college and in order to practice in India all doctors must be registered and certified by the Indian Medical Council (http://www.mciindia.org) which is the equivalent of the UK’s General Medical Council and all surgeons must be registered with the Association of Surgeons of India (http://www.asiindia.org). 

Hospitals can also go for voluntary accreditation with the Medical Council of India or the National Board of Examinations for teaching purposes.

 

Dentists tend to be trained to dental surgeon status and thus qualified to undertake all aspects of dentistry. The professional association for dentists is the Indian Dental Association. http://www.dentalhealthindia.com.