Putting an end to the wait, National Medical Commission has appointed Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma as its chairman. Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma is the Professor and Head, ENT Head-Neck Surgery, AIIMS, New Delhi.
Dr Sharma is the first chairman of the National Medical Commission, which is all set to replace the Medical Commission of India. He’ll be serving the position for three years or till the age of 70 years.
The appointment of Dr Sharma has been approved by the Appointment Committee of the cabinet, according to an order by Personnel Ministry.
The secretary-general in the board of governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) Dr Rakesh Kumar Vats, has also been appointed as the secretary of the Commission for the similar term along with Dr Sharma.
On August 08, President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019. NMC act provides for a system that improves access to quality and affordable medical education and the availability of adequate and high-quality medical professionals in all parts of the country, among others. As per the new law, the Medical Council of India will be replaced by the newly formed National Medical Commission will be set up for development and regulation of all aspects of medical education, profession and institutions.
According to the NMC act, on the dissolution of the MCI, the person appointed as its chairman and others appointed as the member, any officer and other employees of the Council shall immediately vacate their respective offices. As per the law, the commission can have one chairperson, ten ex-officio members and 22 part-time members.
On the ground of rising allegations of corruption against MCI office bearers and probes into opaque accreditation to medical colleges, the Supreme Court had in May 2016 directed the government to set up a committee with the authority to oversee all statutory functions of MCI till the new legislation comes in.

Source: Economic Times, Elets Online.

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