Philippines MD Degrees Under Scrutiny: Indian Students Write To Health Ministry, NMC

Indian students pursuing medical education in the Philippines have raised concerns about whether their degrees meet the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) requirements. They have written letters to the Union Health Ministry and NMC seeking clarification and intervention.

Issues of course duration and internships

The students, in their letter, highlighted that MD course in the Philippines is for 48 months, while regulations in FMGL provide for a 54-month course. The students also raised issues about internships, asserting that Indian students cannot enroll for the 12-month internship in accredited hospitals, which is in violation of FMGL norms.

Licensing Exam Eligibility

According to the media reports, the other issue that the students have raised is being qualified for the Physician Licensure Exam. The Medical Act of 1959 states that only Philippine citizens are qualified to sit for the exam. Without it, the students fear their degree will not be accepted for practicing in India.

The students also alleged malpractice by education agents, claiming that fake or misleading letters are being shown to parents to suggest compliance with regulations as reported by Shiksha. “Students are being trapped,” the letter warned, urging Indian authorities to take note.

Philippines remains popular among Indian students

In spite of these concerns, Philippines continues to attract Indian students because of less expensive tuition fees and English-medium education. Philippine officials have already guaranteed that their MD programs are aligned with Indian standards. Similarly, the Philippine Commission on Higher Education or CHED has made sure that schools with accreditations meet the needed standards. But the students are asserting that such guarantees are inadequate and are insisting on official validation by NMC and the Ministry of Health before they can return to classes.