In a significant development, the National Medical Commission (NMC) is set to establish a comprehensive National Medical Register (NMR) by the end of 2024, providing a unique identification number (UID) to every doctor in the country. Dr. Yogendra Malik, Member Ethics and Medical Registration Board of NMC, revealed that a pilot project for the NMR will be initiated within the next six months. The process will ensure that undergraduate students receive 'masked UIDs', which will be given upon completion of their MBBS. These UIDs will remain valid for a lifetime, allowing doctors to update their qualifications seamlessly through the portal.
The NMR will supersede the existing Indian Medical Register (IMR) and will be accessible to the public through the NMC website. It will furnish essential information about each doctor, including their UID, registration number, name, workplace, qualifications, specialisation, and the accrediting institute/university. "The initiative of creating 'one nation one registration platform' for doctors is also aimed at eliminating duplication and red-tapism," Dr Malik emphasised.
Dr. Malik assured that the transition from IMR to NMR will be seamless for the approximately 14 lakh registered doctors. Their data will be seamlessly migrated, sparing them the need for re-registration. The UID will be generated centrally by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the NMC and thereby grant the practitioner, registration in NMR and eligibility to practice medicine in India. Once registered, doctors will have the flexibility to apply for licenses to practice across multiple states.
The move was announced by the NMC in its 'Registration of Medical Practitioners and Licence to Practice Medicine Regulations, 2023' issued in May this year.