Is Philippines Medical Degree Valid in India?

The Philippines is one of the best nations for pursuing a medical education because of its global validity. MBBS degree from the Philippines is valid globally and you can practice worldwide after completing an MBBS in Philippines but not in India because the Philippines does not follow the proper NMC guidelines, which means it did not fulfill the standard of Indian requirements. According to current NMC guidelines, the Philippines does not fully comply with the requirement to count the "Bachelor of Science (BS)" course as part of the MBBS duration, meaning the NMC does not recognize the BS course as part of the medical degree, which is a key difference from the standard MBBS structure in India. 

MBBS in the Philippines provides many benefits to students pursuing a medical degree such as affordable education, fair infrastructure, a better environment for learning, a better ROI (Return on Investment), etc. In this blog, we will discuss the validity of a Philippines MBBS degree and also alternative career options after an MBBS from the Philippines. 

Can I practice in India after getting an MBBS from the Philippines?

No, you are not eligible to practice medicine in India as the MBBS in the Philippines does not meet the NMC (National Medical Commission) requirements properly. But can practice medicine worldwide after completing an MBBS from the Philippines. If you want to practice in the Philippines, qualify for the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) which is a licensing examination in the Philippines for practicing medicine. You are aware of validity and medical practice, Now you need to know about the NMC Guidelines to Study MBBS that India follows: 

NMC Guidelines:

Duration of the MBBS course

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has some guidelines for the duration of the MBBS Course. An MBBS program should be at least 5.5 years long, including 1 year of clinical training/internship, which is mandatory.

Eligibility criteria

One must obtain a minimum aggregate of 50 percent marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology in the 10+2 level i.e. (UR - 50%, OBC/SC/ST - 40%, PWD - 45%), and the age for Indian candidates to appear for NEET 2024 is 17 years. 

Curriculum

In the entire MBBS curriculum abroad, there will be Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical training or internships. First and foremost, the language of the course should be English. Students must ensure that the foreign university syllabus includes the 19 compulsory subjects outlined in the NMC guidelines from 2021.

NEET Requirement

NEET is a requirement for Indian students who wish to study MBBS abroad at prestigious medical universities, particularly those accredited by the NMC and WHO.

Clinical Internship

According to the National Medical Commission (NMC), during an MBBS course, medical undergraduates must complete an internship of one year or 12 months at a designated hospital. Completing the training and keeping a logbook is mandatory.

Recognition / Licensing

Medical universities should be well-recognized and accredited by the respective jurisdiction of the country. It should provide permission to practice medicine in their country after completion of MBBS from Abroad followed by an internship.

Explore Career Options After Completing MBBS Degree in the Philippines

There are many career options available after completing an MBBS Degree in the Philippines as you can pursue a variety of career paths including practicing medicine in the Philippines as a general practitioner or specialist in hospitals and clinics by passing the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE), specializing further through residency programs, engaging in medical research, teaching at medical schools, or pursuing administrative roles in healthcare organizations, with the option to practice internationally by taking necessary licensing exams like the USMLE for the United States.

Here are the career options cited below after the completion of MBBS in the Philippines for Indian and global students:

Conclusion

The Philippines is one of the favored nations among Indian and global students for pursuing a medical degree for many reasons such as affordable tuition fees, global accreditations, extensive clinical internships, a better learning environment, etc. The MBBS in the Philippines is not valid in India because the NMC does not consider the 2-year BS course in the Philippines as part of the medical degree, while the Philippines considers it a pre-requisite for the MD program. The NMC mandates a minimum of 54 months (4.5 years) for an MBBS degree, which is not met by the Philippines' 4-year MD program when the BS course is not included.

If you are interested in or planning to be a practicing doctor or want to build a professional career Abroad, Education Vibes is here for your guidance and free 1:1 consultancy. Start your MBBS Abroad Journey today!