#khader meeran

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Central Information Commission advises NMC to upload assessment reports in website

After Hearing Dr.Mohamed Khader Meeran’s complaint, Central Information Commission has advised National Medical commission to upload assessment reports of medical colleges, in the official website of NMC.

NMC is the apex body regulating medical education in india. Till 2020, Medical council of India (MCI) used to upload medical college assessment reports in its website. Since the first day of becoming legal successor of MCI, NMC stopped disclosing medical college infrastructure assessment reports.

Last year (2022), NMC refused to disclose Assessment reports of medical colleges through RTI act. Hence, Dr. Mohamed Khader Meeran filed a complaint in CIC. Following the hearing on 28th March, 2023 CIC has advised National Medical Commission to upload assessment reports in its website.

Interview with Some Critical comments on the overall functioning of NMC : https://news.careers360.com/nmc-medical-college-inspection-reports-website-mbbs-student-cic-mci-mohamed-khader-meeran

 News about the same was covered by different media houses

Livelaw: https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/central-information-commission-advices-national-medical-commission-upload-medical-college-assessment-reports-from-current-academic-year-website-225075

Times of India : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/upload-assessment-reports-of-all-medical-colleges-nmc-told/articleshow/99527629.cms

Career360: https://news.careers360.com/cic-directs-nmc-upload-medical-college-assessment-reports-official-website-nmc-org-in  

Medical Dialogues: https://medicaldialogues.in/news/education/central-information-commission-tells-nmc-to-upload-medical-college-assessment-reports-for-current-academic-years-on-website-109240

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Update on Public Interest Litigation.

Summary: PIL demanded Tamil Nadu state government to launch a facility for filing RTI applications through online mode ; and for the central government to assist the process (WP No: 18523/2017 | Mohamed Khader Meeran A S Vs The State of Tamil Nadu & Others)

Prayers Sought:

1. Issue directions to all departments of TN government , to disclose the pro-active (about the organizational structure and function etc) disclosure mandated by RTI act in their respective websites.

2. Issue orders to the concerned department(s) to initiate RTI online portal for filling RTI applications to various departments of government of Tamil Nadu.

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Patients’ Rights in India book launch & Panel Discussion

EVENT’s Live stream is available at youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUnJ124Wm8M&ab_channel=DrMohamedKhaderMeeran

Panel Discussion theme : Why Patients’ Rights? Issues & Challenges

Book is available in amazon : https://www.amazon.in/dp/9354939112/

&

Publisher’s Website : http://civilianvoice.in  (Free Shipping anywhere in India through Registered Post service offered by India Post)

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MCI’s previous inspection reports of Medical colleges were removed from NMC Website

Dr. Mohamed Khader Meeran’s RTI revealed that NMC had not taken any decision officially regarding disclosing Medical college infrastructure assessment reports. In addition, National Medical Commission has not received any direction/order from Union health ministry regarding the same.

Read full article at : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nmcs-college-infra-reports-not-public-mci-notes-taken-down-too/articleshow/92324458.cms

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Conversation : RTI & Patients’ Rights in India

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Patients’ Rights in India book , Authored by Dr. Mohamed Khader Meeran & Edited by Dr. Savithri Devi

Introduction of this book is written by  Dr. Amar Jesani (Editor, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics)

Foreword was written by Dr. Nitin Gangane ( Dean, MGIMS Sevagram) & Dr. Anant Bhan ( Researcher, Global health & Policy)

This book is available in

1. Amazon : https://www.amazon.in/dp/9354939112/

2. Publisher’s Website : http://civilianvoice.in (Free shipping anywhere in India)

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Patients’ Rights in India book launch & Panel Discussion on Patients Rights

Book is available in

1. Amazon : https://www.amazon.in/dp/9354939112/

2. Publisher’s Website : http://civilianvoice.in (Free shipping anywhere in India)

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Patients’ Rights in India Book Release & Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion theme : Why Patients’ Rights? Issues and Challenges

organised by CIVILIAN VOICE PUBLISHERS, Chennai ( http://civilianvoice.in  )

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Indian Health Ministry denies role in NEET-PG application fee

Few months ago A matter came to light after an RTI response filed by final year MBBS student of Mahtama Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS) , Mohamed Khader Meeran revealed that National Board of Examinations (NBE) collected Rs 48 crores as application fees from NEET-PG aspirants in 2018, but spent only Rs. 8 crores in conducting exam .

Following the detailed analysis, of the expenditure incurred in conducting exam, Khader Meeran wrote to Prime Minister office, to reduce the cost of NEET PG application fee.  In response to his letter, National Board of examinations (NBE) replied that the application fee for NEET-PG was decided by governing body of NBE and Union ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Following that, Khader Meeran filed RTI to health ministry and their reply revealed that  health ministry has no role in it. the fee fixation falls under ambit of National board of examinations only. health ministry was neither consulted nor approved anything regarding the fee fixation.

News about the RTI appeared in News18 and other media houses.

Click the link below to read news.

https://www.news18.com/news/india/we-dont-deal-with-neet-pg-fees-says-health-ministry-on-nbes-profit-making-row-1934967.html

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Patients’ Rights in India - Book Review

Patients’ Rights in India - Book Reviews

This is an important book for every citizen related to his/her existing legal rights in a helathcare facility. This book gives patients rights in an interesting format , with court rulings and simplified case studies for every chapter.

Important handbook for all doctors, hospital administrators, advocates, medical & nursing students, and all patients.

A similar review was published by Livelaw : https://www.livelaw.in/book-reviews/book-review-patients-rights-in-india-dr-mohammed-khader-meeran-193787

THIS BOOK HAS A DEDICATED CHAPTER FOR MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE RELATED DEATHS, AND DEDICATED CHAPTER FOR STATE SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEMES LIKE PM-JAY, MP-JAY etc.

To read @TNIE  Website : https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2022/mar/31/a-handbook-to-healthcare-rights-2436028.html

To purchase  ENGLISH book from Amazon : https://www.amazon.in/dp/9354939112

To purchase this book with 20% discount & Free shipping, buy from http://civilianvoice.in

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Central Information Commission orders to provide agreement copy related to Rs.2 lakh deposit

 Dr. Mohamed Khader Meeran filed appeal, Central Information Commission ordered to provide Agreement copy (agreement with DGHS) which permits HLL to handle crores of public money collected from aspiring medical students.

Approximately 300+ crores of money is collected by MCC.  MCC doesn't have any bank account.  It refers HLL as a financial custodian and all the money and interest accumulated on that account is held by HLL only.HLL holds this money for around 6 months, and gains multiple crores as interest. However, We were not sure whether HLL use this 'interest money' for its business purpose / its going into someone's pocket.Information of this was repeatedly denied since two years. They were refusing to answer this question raised by Times of India also.  (Few days ago, the same issue was covered by Times of India Delhi.

PSU denies info on pact that lets it collect deposits from med aspirants 

(Read more at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/80729737.cms?fbclid=IwAR3efBu5qKtYX_SR8Q70GVqOn8d3e3HG2hDZm7RaPWIAb13jynck-afg3_U&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst  )

Dr.Mohamed  argued, "the information cannot be denied  on section 8(1)d of RTI act, as the information will not harm competitive position of third party (HLL Life Care LTD)". CIC also agreed  to our argument. and it said HLL's arguments are not convincing and larger  public interest is involved in this issue.Last month CIC issued interim order to implead, PIO of Medical counseling committee (DGHS) in this case. Yesterday the case is taken up for hearing and CIC ordered to disclose agreement copy (MoU between HLL Lifecare Ltd and DGHS within a month and later CIC ordered HLL to give agreement copy.

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ICMR didn’t give even a single policy suggestion to government, based on STS reports : RTI

Even after spending a whopping amount of Rs5.82 crore, the the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has failed to  suggest on policy reformation, to central government and state governments.

Multiple RTIs filed by Mohamed Khader Meeran, MBBS student from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sevagram has lead to this startling revelation came to light.

In last 5 years, ICMR has spent Rs.5.82 crores in Short Term Studentship (STS) for MBBS students across the country. However, the study reports submitted by students have not been used for suggesting policy reformation or to initiate a study on large scale.

Compiling the RTI replies, a representation to publish all STS reports, was sent to ICMR. considering the representation, ICMR replied that it will put up the suggestion before Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) of ICMR.

To read the full story in Times of India Website, click here 

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National Board of Examinations makes Rs.30 cores profit in a single session of NEET-PG

Multiple RTIs filed to AIIMS and NBE brought light how exam boards are making profit. 

AIIMS PG entrance examination is an online test conducted with the help of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). AIIMS charges Rs.1000 as application fee for appearing in its PG entrance examination.

The same agency (TCS) is conducting NEET-PG entrance examination on behalf of NBE. NBE charges Rs.3750 from a general category candidate for appearing in the examination. It is 3.75 times higher than fees charged by AIIMS.

Such disparity in application fee led to the filing of RTIs. Based on the RTI replies, Mohamed Khader Meeran has compiled a report and sent it to Prime Minister office & Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with a request to reduce cost of NEET-PG application.

Read full news at : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/exam-board-made-rs-30cr-profit-from-neet-pg-fees-students/articleshow/65298624.cms 

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Story of my Social Activism- Recorded for a program in Maharashtra (January 2018)

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THOSE WHO DIDN’T CHANGE MEDICAL SYLLABUS FOR PAST 20 YEARS , ARE CRITICISING TAMIL NADU! : Interview to Junior Vikatan

 Those who didn’t change MBBS syllabus for the past 20 years are saying that ‘NEET will give quality medical education’ , medical student Mohamed Khader Meeran , slams at central government. Mohamed Khader Meeran is pursuing MBBS course in , Mahtama Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram(MH) and a native of Trichy(TN).

 “In 2007 Tamil Nadu government has cancelled the common entrance test for admission to professional courses through an act, with assent of President. Central government passed ‘Indian Medical Council amendment act’  in parliament during last year monsoon session. As ‘education’ is in concurrent list, this central act has repealed TN government’s act. This central amendment act is the sole reason for making NEET mandatory for medical admissions throughout the country, not the judgment of Supreme Court.

  In 2013, Supreme court of India heard various cases on NEET issue. A three judges bench chaired by CJI Altamas Kabir gave verdict that ‘According to Indian Medical Council Act, Medical Council of India doesn’t have powers to conduct NEET’. Following that, central government had filed a review petition  in Supreme Court. During hearing of that review petition in april 2016, Justice Anil. R Dave ordered that the court withdraws its previous judgment and hear the case afresh. But, it didn’t give order to government to conduct NEET.  ‘Sankalp Charitable Trust’ approached the apex court on this matter and prayed for conducting NEET in same academic year, citing the withdrawn judgement.

Following that court ordered that GOI can conduct NEET till final verdict is given by the court. But so many state governments opposed the move to carry out admissions on the basis of NEET score in the same academic year. So, GOI gave exemption to these states through an ordinance for one year. Judges instructed GOI to pass the ordinance as an special act for making it legally strong.  On contrary to the instruction, central government decided to amend Indian Medical Council act. IT FURTHER AMENDED IMC ACT IN PARLIAMENT & GAVE POWERS TO MCI TO CONDUCT NEET , AND ALSO MAKING NEET MANDATORY FOR MEDICAL ADMISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

 Government of Tamil Nadu failed to tackle this move in proper legal way. This is the reason for Tamil Nadu’s drawback. 92nd parliamentary standing committee conducted various studies regarding medical education. Last year, it submitted a report  saying ,”Functioning of Medical Council of India is unsatisfactory. Current MCI has to be revamped. There is a need for uniform common entrance test for Medical admissions. HOWEVER, IF ANY STATE WANTS EXEMPTION FROM THE COMMON ENTRANCE TEST, IT CAN BE BE GIVEN’.  Central government has accepted the report and taking steps to scrap the existing MCI with a new body ‘National Medical Commission’. Then WHY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT ACCEPTING THE SAME COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION OF GIVING EXEMPTION FROM NEET?

  I have asked various information regarding Medical Education through Right to Information Act. But, MCI and Health ministry replied , “ONLY CONCERNED STATE GOVERNMENTS know about excess fee collection & capitation fee for MBBS course , by private Medical colleges. We don’t have any information or statistics regarding that.”

 576 government and private Medical colleges are situated throughout the country. But there is no common syllabus/curriculum for MBBS in these colleges. This fact was revealed by MCI through an RTI reply to me. Further MCI also agrees that it doesn’t have full information about various curricula followed by different Medical universities.

  The competencies recommended by MCI , on which the current MBBS curriculum is framed is 20 years old. IN 2013, MCI SUGGESTED TO HEALTH MINISTRY THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR UPDATED, WORD CLASS CURRICULUM FOR MBBS COURSE. But, central government has not even considered the suggestion for the past 4 years.

 THE SAME CENTRAL GOVERNMENT WHICH IS CRITICIZING TN GOVERNMENT FOR NOT CHANGING THE SCHOOL SYLLABUS FOR PAST 12 YEARS, DIDN’T CHANGE MBBS SYLLABUS FOR PAST 20 YEARS.

  Talks like ‘NEET will stop capitation; NEET will make good quality doctors ’ are only words. Actually, NEET  is going to affect future of students from rural area . Anitha is the first life lost due to that ”, said Mohamed Khader Meeran.  

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PIL  FILED IN MADRAS HIGH COURT TO LAUNCH (RTI ONLINE PORTAL) IN TAMIL NADU

A PIL is filed in Madras HC to launch an RTI online portal for getting information from various departments of Tamil Nadu government through RTI (2005) act.  An MBBS Student, Mohamed Khader Meeran, who is a native of Trichy has filed this plea in HC.

The PIL (W.P No: 18523 / 2017 ) filed by Advocate Ms.Fathima Sulthana,  on behalf of Mohamed Khader Meeran was taken up for admission by the bench chaired by Hon’ble Justice M.Sathyanarayanan & Hon’ble Justice N.Sheshasayee on last Monday.

Referring to the successful functioning of Union government & Mahrashtra state government’s online RTI portals, the petitioner stated that launch of such online portal in Tamil Nadu will minimize paper work, transit delay, postage cost and also workload of the Public Information Officers (PIOs). In addition to that, it will also ensure efficient and transparent governance. According to RTI act, each public authority should disclose the pro-active disclosure regarding their organizational structure, function , powers & duties of employees, procedure followed in decision making, categories of documents under its control, within 120 days after enactment of RTI act in 2005. But for the past 12 years , government of Tamil Nadu has not disclosed the pro-active disclosure in its official website http://tn.gov.in .

With a request to start an online RTI portal & also to provide the suo-motu voluntary (pro-active) disclosure of various departments, the petitioner had sent a detailed representation to the chief secretary during the month of May (2017). However, TN government didn’t give a satisfactory reply to him.

In December 2013, Department of personnel & Training (Union Government) had sent a direction to all state governments and Union Territories to start an Online Portal for their respective state. Replying to an RTI query of the petitioner, Maharashtra government said that RTI portal of MH govt is made with the help of National Informatics Center (NIC) and no expense is made by state government for creating the portal , as the software for the portal is readily available with NIC. Considering the points, the petitioner requested the highcourt to issue orders to create an RTI online Portal.

Judges issued notice to the chief Secretary, Secretaries of Department of Personnel & Training (State & Union Govt) , National Informatics center on this plea, and adjourned the case to  4th of September.

Advocate Fathima Sulthana Said , ” Tamil Nadu was the pioneer state in the country to enact the Tamil Nadu Right to Information Act in 1997. Tamil Nadu should not lag behind now due to delay in launching such novel e-governance initiatives. ”