- NMC Allegation: The National Medical Commission (NMC) in India has been accused of not including disability and queer rights in its medical curriculum.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Justice )
- Global Context: Among 110 Lancet Commissions, only mental health and the Holocaust have dedicated commissions, with no specific commissions for disability or the queer community.
- India’s Curriculum Update: In 2019, disability rights were included as competencies in India’s new medical curriculum, recognized as a significant initiative by UN India.
- Human Rights Impact: The exclusion of these topics hampers human rights, as highlighted by Dr. Satendra Singh from the University of Delhi.
- Lancet Commissions: These are multidisciplinary collaborations aimed at influencing health policies through evidence-based recommendations.
- Statistics: India has a high number of road accident fatalities and is known as the “diabetes capital of the world,” contributing to disabilities through complications like gangrene and limb loss.
- Historical Mistrust: Both the disability and transgender communities have a history of mistrust towards the medical establishment, sharing vulnerabilities that contribute to health inequities.
- Importance of Inclusion: Including voices from these communities in Lancet Commissions is crucial for achieving the Agenda 2030 goal of “leaving no one behind.”
- Medical Education: India has the highest number of medical colleges globally, and many graduates work internationally. Educating future doctors on health inequities is vital to dismantling barriers.
- Discrimination and Marginalisation: Both groups face discrimination in healthcare settings, underscoring the need for doctors to treat patients as individuals, not merely symptoms.
- Inclusive Language: Prioritizing clear, consistent, and respectful language is essential for recognizing diversity and should be a shared responsibility.
- NMC’s Commitment: The NMC emphasizes improving access to quality, affordable medical education, promoting equitable healthcare, and upholding high ethical standards.
- Legal Perspective: The commentary suggests that the NMC’s actions could be seen as a dereliction of duty and potentially illegal under parent legislation.
