The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine has issued the “National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Minimum Essential Standards, Assessment and Rating for Undergraduate Sowa-Rigpa Colleges and Attached Teaching Hospitals) Regulations, 2023.” These regulations have come into force from December 29, 2023.
The regulations aim to establish minimum essential standards, assessment criteria, and ratings for undergraduate Sowa-Rigpa colleges and their associated teaching hospitals.
They lay down a framework for the inspection, assessment, and rating of fully established existing Sowa-Rigpa medical colleges and institutions. Assessment, as defined in the regulations, involves the verification of minimum essential standards related to infrastructure, human resources, and functionality, crucial for granting permission for student admissions or implementing specified measures.
The regulations emphasize two key aspects:
- Fulfillment of Minimum Essential Standards for Permission: Fully-established existing Sowa-Rigpa colleges and their attached hospitals must meet all minimum essential standards for infrastructure, teaching and training facilities, human resources, and functionalities, as detailed in regulations 4 to 6 and Schedule-I to XIII.
- Conditional Permission Based on Inspection: Colleges meeting specific requirements, as determined through inspection or visitation by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Indian System of Medicine between January 1st and June 30th each year, may be granted conditional permission for one academic session.
Key Requirements for Sowa-Rigpa Medical Colleges and Institutions:
The regulations outline stringent criteria covering various aspects of infrastructure and facilities, admission capacity, teaching hospital requirements, and waste management. Notable points include:
- Infrastructure and Facilities: Specifications for land, minimum constructed area, and admission capacity based on student intake.
- Teaching Hospital Requirements: Compliance with statutory requirements, including ‘No Objection Certificate,’ and detailed specifications for Out-Patient Department, In-Patient Department, Clinical Laboratory, External Therapy and Minor Operation Theatre Section, Speciality Clinic, and Waste Management System.
The introduction of these regulations seeks to enhance the quality and standards of education and healthcare delivery within the Sowa-Rigpa system.
