one nation, one registration platform

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NMC to launch one nation, one registration platform for doctors

Important Points

• In a significant development, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has embarked on a mission to assign a unique identification number to every doctor in the country by the end of 2024. The cornerstone of this initiative is the creation of the National Medical Register (NMR), which will serve as a centralized repository for doctors practicing in India. This move is expected to streamline the healthcare sector and enhance transparency.

Pilot Project and NMR Launch

• A pilot project for the National Medical Register (NMR) is set to be launched within the next six months, and the full-scale implementation is slated for completion by the end of 2024.
• Dr. Yogendra Malik, a member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board of the NMC, provided insights into this ambitious project.

Key Features of the NMR

The NMR will replace the existing Indian Medical Register (IMR) and will be accessible to the public through the NMC’s website. It will offer comprehensive information about registered doctors, including:

• Unique Identification Number (UID): Each doctor will be assigned a unique identification number.
• Registration Number: The doctor’s registration number for verification.
• Name and Place of Work: Details of the doctor’s name and workplace.
• Qualifications: Information about the doctor’s educational qualifications.
• Specialization: The doctor’s area of expertise.
• Institute/University: The name of the institution or university where the qualifications were obtained.

Eliminating Duplication and Red-Tapism

• Dr. Malik emphasized that this initiative aims to create a ‘one nation, one registration platform’ for doctors, with a primary goal of eliminating duplication and bureaucratic hurdles within the registration process.
• Presently, approximately 1.4 million doctors are registered with the IMR, and they need not worry about the transition, as their data will be seamlessly transferred to the NMR.