Bringing Checks n Balances: MCI appoints its representative to Governing Board of CPS

New Delhi: In order to bring checks and balances to the functioning of the College of Physicians & Surgeons (CPS), which has been mired in controversies of late, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has now appointed its representative to the Governing Board of CPS

Dr S Ramji, Sr Advisor, MCI Board of Governors (BOG) has been chosen as the BoG/MCI nominee and decision has been communicated to CPS

Having a structure of a society CPS Mumbai is a government recognised body that runs various PG Diploma Courses, certificate and fellowship courses on similar lines as NBE runs DNB degree courses. The body has been mired in controversies in the past few years whether it was functioning of the organisation or the recognition of its degrees. Erstwhile MCI in October 2017, through a gazette MCI recognised many CPS diplomas, while just 4 months later, through another notification de-recognised many other CPS degrees.

Read Also: U-Turn: Ministry of Health De-Recognizes PG diplomas offered by CPS, Mumbai

In a letter to the Union Government, MCI was seen questioning the functioning of the CPS, a matter which was also observed by the Bombay High court

It has stated in one of its communication to the Government of India and particularly, dated 2nd November 2017, that the Secretary of the concerned department must note that this so called College is nothing but a society. It is not a recognized University or a Deemed University and therefore, not covered by the UGC Act, 1956. It does not have a full time teaching faculty, proper building, hospital and other infrastructural facilities for imparting teaching and training to the students.

"CPS being a Society without any proper infrastructure, teaching faculty, hospital, etc. required for imparting medical education is not legally entitled to conduct any medical course as well as confer any degrees whatsoever. In any event, the degree granted by the CPS cannot be treated as a recognized medical qualification.” the communication had added

Bombay High Court made a strong observation against these courses, asking the MCI and the Ministry of Health to take corrective steps in the matter.

Read Also: CPS PG Diploma not Specialist Degree: HC slams govt, asks MCI to take corrective steps

The matter concerning CPS was again brought up in the recent meeting of MCI Board of Governors, where the BoG considered letter No.V.11.025/14/2015-MEP, dated 22.07.2019 received from the Under Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi.

The BoG was apprised of a letter that had been received from College of Physicians & Surgeons (CPS), Mumbai informing about the changes in the Memorandum of Articles incorporating the checks & balances relating to the functioning of the society and had requested that MCI may nominate a representative on their Governing Board. The Secretary-General informed the BoGs that the name of Dr S. Ramji, Sr. Advisor, BoG as the BoG/MCI nominee has been communicated to CPS

Dr Ramji, Director-Professor Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College and former Dean MAMC, is one of the senior advisors to the Board of Governors, MCI

Read Also: Maharashtra Paediatrician Arrested in Fake CPS Certificate SCAM