70 Medical Colleges Fail to Meet NMC's CCTV Compliance Mandate
Seventy medical colleges, including top Delhi institutions, have ignored NMC's CCTV norms, risking regulatory action.
Seventy medical colleges across India, including several prestigious government institutions in Delhi, have not complied with the National Medical Commission's (NMC) requirement to connect their CCTV systems to the NMC's Command and Control Centre. Despite repeated directives since 2022, these colleges have failed to meet the mandatory standards.
NMC's Surveillance Directive
The NMC mandates that all medical colleges install 25 CCTV cameras at key locations, maintain 30 days of footage, and provide live access via a Network Video Recorder (NVR). This system is designed to allow the NMC to monitor teaching, clinical activities, and adherence to its standards remotely. The non-compliant institutions include prominent names such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS), Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi.
Institutional Responses and Potential Consequences
The NMC has issued repeated advisories and communications to the colleges since 2022. With non-compliance persisting, the commission has now demanded immediate adherence to the surveillance norms. In response to being listed as non-compliant, the administration of RML Hospital stated that they are addressing the issue.
NMC officials have indicated that colleges will have a chance to explain their deficiencies. However, if responses are unsatisfactory, regulatory actions may follow. An NMC official noted that the CCTV system is crucial for verifying compliance with educational and clinical standards.
Wider Implications and Background
The list of non-compliant institutions includes both undergraduate and postgraduate colleges managed by government and private entities across various states including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi, among others. This issue gains further significance amid increased focus on surveillance and security in medical campuses following a high-profile criminal incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year. The NMC's CCTV framework, however, was implemented in 2022 as part of a broader digital compliance strategy, predating the incident.