Indian medical graduates can now practise in countries like the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand after the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India was awarded the coveted World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for a tenure of 10 years.
"As part of this recognition, all the 706 existing medical colleges in India will become WFME-accredited and the new medical colleges that will be set up in the coming 10 years will automatically become WFME-accredited," read a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
"[This] will also enable Indian medical graduates to pursue postgraduate training and practise in other countries that require WFME recognition, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand," read the statement.
"It will increase the international recognition and reputation of Indian medical schools and professionals, facilitate academic collaborations and exchanges and promote continuous improvement and innovation in medical education and foster a culture of quality assurance among medical educators and institutions," added the statement.
With NMC being WFME-accredited, all Indian medical students now become eligible to apply for certification from the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education, United States, and appear for the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
On this achievement, Yogender Malik, Member of the Ethics and Medical Registration Board and Head Media Division at NMC, said, "WFME's recognition underscores that the quality of medical education in India adheres to global standards. This accolade empowers our students with the opportunity to pursue their careers anywhere in the world, while also making India an attractive destination for international students due to our globally recognised standards."
What is the World Federation for Medical Education?
The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is a global organisation dedicated to enhancing the quality of medical education worldwide.
WFME's accreditation programme plays a pivotal role in ensuring that medical institutes meet and uphold the highest international standards of education and training.