Nepal Medical Council (NMC) has finalised a new rule that requires doctors to constantly update their academic achievements to renew their licence to practice medicine.

In failing to meet the required benchmark set by the NMC, the medical licence will be revoked. 

The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) will soon be introduced for doctors working inside the country who will have to compulsorily attend additional courses worth 100 points in five years, either in the form of fellowships, conferences or continuous medical education. 

All of these records should be submitted to the NMC which will decide whether the doctor is eligible to continue treating patients.

The courses should be attended by both MBBS and specialist doctors.

The CPD plan states that among the 100 points, each doctor, regardless of the specialty, should attend 30 points mandatory trainings on basic life support; professional ethics and communication; infection prevention and control and rational use of drugs; and diagnostics.

Regarding these mandatory trainings in three specialties, the NMC will write to various professional organisations of doctors to introduce the courses.

It will also direct the medical schools in the country to develop courses and trainings in these specialties.

NMC President Dr Dharma Kanta Banskota said a one-time examination for doctors will not suffice, especially when knowledge and practice in medicines are changing fast.

“Our doctors should also be able to keep up with the new practices in medicine and use it to benefit the patients,” said Dr Banskota.

“Hence, each doctor should compulsorily acquire the 100 points in five years. After this, the time span to acquire the points will be decreased.”

The NMC held discussions with vice-chancellors, deans and principals of medical schools across the country on the proposed CPD on Sunday. 

“The concept of CPD is the need of time. We also believe that practicing doctors should keep updating themselves.

However, the implementation of the programme could be a challenge,” said Dr YP Singh of Institute of Medicine.

“The NMC should focus on making these courses available to doctors working in rural parts of the country as well. Otherwise, these hard-working doctors might be left out of the plan.”

Many other participants in the meetings too had echoed the concern of Dr Singh.

In response, the NMC officials said that they were collaborating with all medical schools to develop the CPD courses where doctors working in the far-flung areas will be encouraged to take the programme.

Besides, the NMC is also working closely with the Ministry of Health to make the courses readily available for doctors across the country.