Fake patients will be investigated in medical colleges before granting recognition, NMC issued new guidelines

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to investigate fake patients in colleges before granting recognition. If the investigator confirms fake patients in his comment, it will be categorized as a serious violation and punitive action will be taken against the college. Apart from this, the financial condition of the colleges will also be investigated.

NMC has issued new guidelines regarding the assessment of medical colleges for the session 2025-2026. The commission said that for a long time, some medical institutions have been acting arbitrarily. At the time of inspection, fake patients are admitted. Despite this, they are admitted to the ward and added to the number of patients on the document. The fraud, against which action can be taken, is under the Establishment, Assessment, and Rating Exchange of Medical Institutions 2023 Act, said the NMC. For the medical colleges, NMC Secretary Dr. B Srinivas, through an order, explained that the process for recognition would continue till January 4, 2025. However, before that, the guidelines issued regarding the medical evaluation should be watched closely wherein it has been made mandatory to conduct deep investigation.

It has been mentioned in the guidelines that if a patient gets admitted directly without diagnosis or essential medical examination, then complete details about his medical condition shall have to be given. If his condition is not proven medically fit for admission, then the decision for punitive action against the college or to ban it may be taken.