The National Medical Commission (NMC) has launched a significant initiative, requiring all registered MBBS doctors to re-register and obtain a Unique Identification (UID) through the newly developed National Medical Register (NMR) portal. This step is part of a broader effort to centralize and streamline the verification and tracking of medical professionals across the country.
Why is the NMC Requiring a Unique ID?
Previously, the Indian Medical Register (IMR) served as the main registry for doctors practicing in India. However, the lack of a unified system across medical colleges, state medical councils, and national bodies led to challenges in tracking the total number of doctors, especially those who had left the country, lost their licenses, or passed away. To address these challenges, the National Medical Register (NMR) has been established as a dynamic, central database of all medical professionals
The NMR will use Aadhaar verification to ensure the authenticity of all registered practitioners. It aims to provide a holistic overview of the doctor population in India, linking them to the broader digital healthcare ecosystem
Key Features of the NMR Portal
The NMR portal is designed to make the registration process for doctors as straightforward as possible. The key features include:
- Re-registration for MBBS Doctors: All doctors who are registered with the Indian Medical Register (IMR) must re-register through the new NMR portal. This also applies to doctors registered with their State Medical Council (SMC
- Aadhaar Verification: The doctor’s authenticity will be verified using their Aadhaar ID, ensuring that each medical practitioner is uniquely identified and linked to their respective qualifications and registration history
- Documents Required: To complete the registration, doctors need a digital copy of their MBBS degree, their State Medical Council certificate, and their Aadhaar ID
- Verification Process: Once the doctor submits their information, the application is forwarded to the relevant State Medical Council for verification. After verification, the National Medical Commission issues the unique NMR ID
- Public and Private Data: Certain data will be visible to the public, such as the doctor’s name and qualifications, while more sensitive information will be accessible only to bodies like the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), state medical councils, and the doctor themselves
- Additional Features: Doctors can add additional qualifications, track the status of their applications, and manage their digital doctor certificates. The portal also allows doctors to suspend licenses or update information as necessary
Why This Move is Crucial for the Medical Ecosystem
The move toward a unified digital registry is significant for several reasons:
- Transparency: The NMR will help provide a clear picture of the number of active doctors in India, allowing better tracking of medical professionals across states and institutions.
- Streamlined Processes: By linking all stakeholders, including medical colleges and state medical councils, the NMR allows for seamless verification and updates, making it easier for doctors to manage their credentials
- Improved Healthcare Services: By linking the NMR to the Healthcare Provider Registry, doctors can opt-in to be part of the wider digital healthcare network, enabling better collaboration and information sharing within the medical community
Conclusion
The introduction of the National Medical Register (NMR) and the requirement for all doctors to obtain a unique ID represents a major shift toward greater accountability and transparency in India’s healthcare system. By ensuring that all medical professionals are properly verified and tracked, the NMC is working to improve both the quality and accessibility of healthcare across the country.
For doctors, staying up-to-date with the latest NMC regulations is essential, especially as the registration process moves forward. With the NMR portal offering a range of features and a straightforward registration process, doctors can ensure that they remain compliant while benefiting from the broader digital healthcare ecosystem.
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