As India commemorates its 77th Republic Day, the Indian Chest Society (ICS) has called for urgent strengthening of undergraduate medical education in respiratory medicine, emphasizing that the constitutional right to life must include the right to breathe clean air and receive competent respiratory care.
In this regard, the Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench, while hearing Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 33 of 2024) filed by the Indian Chest Society seeking the reinstatement of Respiratory (Chest) Medicine as a structured subject in the MBBS curriculum, passed an order on 23 January 2026 granting the Union of India a final opportunity (“last chance”) to place its response on record. The matter is listed for further hearing on 13 February 2026.

*Why this issue is critical today?*

India is witnessing a rapid and sustained rise in respiratory illnesses, driven by worsening air pollution, occupational exposures, tobacco use, and recurrent respiratory infections. Conditions such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and pollution-related lung disease now constitute a major share of outpatient visits, emergency admissions, and preventable deaths.
Yet, at a time when respiratory disease burden is increasing, formal and structured training in respiratory medicine at the MBBS level has been diluted by removal of the subject from MBBS curriculum, leaving many young doctors insufficiently equipped to recognise, manage, and appropriately treat common and life-threatening lung conditions.

ICS perspective
*“On Republic Day, we are reminded that the Constitution guarantees not only political freedom, but also the right to health and dignity. Strengthening respiratory medicine training at the undergraduate level is not about specialty expansion—it is about public safety, early diagnosis, and better outcomes for millions of Indians*” 

ICS underscores that MBBS doctors form the backbone of India’s healthcare system, especially in primary and district-level care, and their ability to manage respiratory diseases effectively is essential in an era of escalating air pollution and climate-related health risks.

*The road ahead*

The Indian Chest Society remains hopeful that the forthcoming concluding  hearing on 13 February 2026 will be a start to constructive, evidence-based reforms in medical education, aligned with India’s current public-health realities.

As the nation celebrates the values enshrined in its Constitution, ICS reiterates that strong medical education is a national investment—and healthy lungs are a constitutional promise..

A stronger MBBS curriculum today will save lives tomorrow!

Sign the petition if you still haven't and spread the message to help reinstate respiratory medicine.

https://www.change.org/SAVETHESAVIOURS

Regards,
Dr Neel Thakkar