Healthcare Bills to Reform Nursing, Midwifery, and Dentistry

• 02 Aug 2023

For Prelims: National Nursing and Midwifery Commission bill (NNMC), National Dental Commission bill

For Mains: Significance of Health Sector in an Economy, Challenges in Nursing, Midwifery, and Dentistry, Government initiatives

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Lok Sabha passed National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill (NNMC), 2023, and the National Dental Commission bill, 2023.

• The Bills aim to repeal existing acts and bring about improvements in the quality of healthcare in different medical fields.

What is the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) Bill,2023?

• About:
  • The NNMC Bill is a significant healthcare legislation aimed at reforming and enhancing nursing and midwifery professions in India.
  • Establish the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) as a regulatory body for nursing and midwifery professionals.
  • Repeal the existing Indian Nursing Council Act, of 1947. As the act is outdated and does not reflect the current needs and demands of the nursing and midwifery profession, which has evolved significantly over the years in terms of education, training, practice, and service standards.
• Key Features:
  • National Nursing and Midwifery Commission:
    • Composition:
      • NNMC will consist of 29 members.
      • Chairperson with a postgraduate degree in nursing and midwifery and 20 years of field experience.
      • Ex-officio members from Department of Health and Family Welfare, National Medical Commission, Military Nursing Services, and Directorate General of Health Services.
      • Other members from nursing and midwifery professionals and charitable institutions.
    • Functions:
      • Framing policies and regulating standards for nursing and midwifery education.
      • Providing a uniform admission process for nursing and midwifery institutions.
      • Regulating nursing and midwifery institutions.
      • Establishing standards for faculty in teaching institutions.
  • Autonomous Boards:
    • Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education Board: Regulate education and examination at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
    • Nursing and Midwifery Assessment and Rating Board: Provide the framework for assessing and rating nursing and midwifery institutions.
    • Nursing and Midwifery Ethics and Registration Board: Regulate professional conduct and promote ethics in the profession.
  • State Nursing and Midwifery Commissions:
    • To be constituted by state governments.
    • Will consist of 10 members, including representatives from the health department and nursing/midwifery colleges.
    • Functions include enforcing professional conduct, maintaining state registers, issuing certificates of specialization, and conducting skill-based examinations.
  • Establishment of Institutions:
    • Permission from Assessment and Rating Board required to establish new nursing and midwifery institutions or increase seats/postgraduate courses.
    • Appeals process available to National Commission and Central Government in case of disapproval.
  • Practicing as a Professional:
    • Individuals must be enrolled in the National or State Register to practice nursing or midwifery.
    • Non-compliance may result in imprisonment or a fine.
  • Advisory Council:
    • Provides advice and support to the National Commission on Nursing and Midwifery education, services, training, and research.
    • Includes representatives from each State and Union Territory, Ministry of Ayush, University Grants Commission, National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Indian Council of Medical Research, and nursing/midwifery professionals.

What is the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023?

• About:
  • The National Dental Commission Bill focuses on the regulation and improvement of dentistry in India.
• Key Features:
  • Establish the National Dental Commission (NDC) to regulate the profession of dentistry.
  • Repeal the Dentists Act of 1948.
• Key Features:
  • National Dental Commission:
    • Composition:
      • Constituted by the central government with 33 members and will be chaired by an eminent and experienced dentist.
      • Chairperson appointed by the central government upon recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee which is chaired by Cabinet Secretary.
      • Ex-officio members of the commission include Presidents of three autonomous Boards, Director General of Health Services, Chief of the Centre for Dental and Educational Research, AIIMS.
      • Part-time members include faculties of dentistry from government institutes and representatives of states and union territories.
    • Functions:
      • Regulating dental education, institutions, research, and infrastructure, as well as ensuring admissions through National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
  • Autonomous Boards:
    • Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Education Board: Responsible for determining education standards, developing curriculum, and granting recognition to dental qualifications.
    • Dental Assessment and Rating Board: Responsible for determining compliance assessment procedure for dental institutions, granting permission to establish new institutions, and conducting inspections and ratings.
    • Ethics and Dental Registration Board: Responsible for maintaining online national registers of dentists/dental auxiliaries, suspending/cancelling licenses, and regulating standards of conduct, ethics and the scope of the practice.
  • State Dental Councils:
    • To be established within a year, responsible for maintaining registers, handling grievances, and implementing provisions.
  • Entrance Examinations:
    • Admission to Bachelor of Dental Surgery through NEET, and National Exit Test (Dental) for licensing and postgraduate admissions.
    • Clearing National (Exit) Test grants a license to practice dentistry, but registration in state/national register required before commencing practice.
  • Dental Advisory Council:
    • Advise the Commission on education, training, research, and equitable access to dental education.
    • Ex-officio members of the Commission are ex-officio members of the Council.