PIB Summary- 4th July, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

National Medical Commission (NMC)

Context

Dr. B.N. Gangadhar appointed as Chairperson of the National Medical Commission

About National Medical Commission (NMC):

• The National Medical Commission (NMC) is a regulatory body responsible for overseeing medical education and profession in India.
• The NMC was established in 2019 under the National Medical Commission Act, replacing the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI).

Composition:

• The NMC consists of a Chairperson, members, and ex-officio members appointed by the Central Government.
• The Chairperson and members include eminent medical professionals, academicians, and experts from various fields related to medical education and practice.

Autonomous Boards:

• The NMC comprises autonomous boards responsible for specific areas such as undergraduate education, postgraduate education, medical assessment and rating, ethics and medical registration, and continuing professional development.

Reforms and Objectives:

• The NMC was established to bring about significant reforms in the medical education sector, promote transparency, improve the quality of education, and ensure the availability of competent medical professionals.
• It aims to address challenges in medical education, bridge gaps, and align education with evolving healthcare needs.

Functions and Responsibilities:

• Regulating Medical Education: The NMC sets standards, guidelines, and regulations for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in India.
• Assessing Medical Institutions: It conducts inspections and assessments of medical colleges and institutions to ensure compliance with prescribed standards.
• Granting Recognition: The NMC grants recognition to medical qualifications and degrees obtained from Indian and foreign institutions.
• Promoting Ethical Practices: It establishes and enforces ethical standards and guidelines for medical professionals.
• Conducting Common Entrance Examinations: The NMC conducts a common entrance examination called the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India.
• Oversight and Quality Assurance: The NMC monitors the quality of medical education, training, and research to maintain high standards in the healthcare sector.

Steel Slag

Context

Recently, the member (Science) of Niti Aayog released the Guidelines for Utilization and Processing of Steel Slag as Processed Steel Slag Aggregates in Road Construction.

About Steel Slag

• Industrial Byproduct: Obtained from the steel manufacturing industry as a byproduct.
• Production: Generated in large quantities during steel-making operations using electric arc furnaces or smelting iron ore in basic oxygen furnaces.
• Composition: Primarily consists of calcium, magnesium, manganese, aluminum silicates, and oxides in various combinations, formed during the cooling process.

Applications of Steel Slag

• Used as a barrier material in waste sites to prevent heavy metals from leaching into the environment.
• The high oxide mineral content of steel slag helps in precipitating heavy metals from water runoff.

Water Treatment:

• Successfully employed to treat acidic water discharges from abandoned mines.

Construction Industry:

• Can replace coarse aggregate in concrete due to its higher impact and crushing strength.
• Offers better anti-skid capacity compared to conventional aggregates.