New medical textbooks label ‘lesbianism’ and ‘sodomy’ as unnatural sex offences; redefine virginity and hymen’s importance

At the end of teaching-learning in forensic medicine and toxicology, the student should be able to understand the medico-legal framework of medical practice, codes of conduct, medical ethics, professional misconduct and medical negligence, conducting medico-legal examination and documentation of various medico-legal cases and understand latest Acts and laws related to medical professional including related court judgements, the NMC said in its document.

“It was time to have a relook at all aspects of the various components in the existing regulations and guidelines, and adapt them to the changing demography, socio-economic context, perceptions, values, advancements in medical education and expectations of stakeholders,” the NMC said in its Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum (CBME) Guidelines, 2024.

It said that the result is a curriculum focused on outcomes that aligns with global trends. It emphasizes both horizontal and vertical integration of subjects, while still valuing the strengths and need for subject-specific instruction and assessment.

The undergraduate medical education program is designed to produce an “Indian Medical Graduate” (IMG) who possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and responsiveness to function effectively and appropriately as a primary care physician in the community, while also maintaining global relevance.

To achieve this, the document prescribes the following national and institutional goals for learners in the Indian Medical Graduate training program:

The first contact physician should be skilled in performing the duties of a primary care physician and should have the requisite abilities for promotive, preventive, rehabilitative, palliative care, and referral services.

The changes in the curriculum have been uploaded on the NMC website.

(With inputs from PTI)