Absence from Rural posting Violation of Medical Ethics, 216 doctors given notice

BENGALURU: With the state government initiating action against  668 doctors for skipping the mandatory one year government service in the state, the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) has now issued a show cause notice to 216 doctors for violating the compulsory rural bond service.

TOI reports that KMC sent notices to 216 doctors giving them 15 days time to reply as to  why actions should not be initiated against them for failing to serve in rural areas.

Medical Dialogues team earlier reported that 668 doctors signed a bond agreement during the initiation of their study at respective government medical colleges of the state, promising to serve one year compulsory government service at the end of their studies. Failure of the same would attract a penalty of Rs 10 lakhs as per the agreement. Now, With the non-compliance of the agreement, the the health minister had directed Karnataka medical Council to initiate disciplinary action against them for violating code of medical ethics

Elaborating on the same, Dr. Veerabhadrappa, President Karntaka Medical Council told Medical dialogues team, " Any violation of a contract between a medical practitioner and the government amounts to professional misconduct, which is punishable under the Medical Code of Ethics."

He further elaborated that the MCI Code of Medical Ethics, 2002, through an amendment in 2003, saw specific inclusion of the clause that deals with rural posting, i.e Section 7.23 under Chapter 7 which deals with the issue of Misconduct and highlights the violation of Regulation which includes

7.23 If a physician posted in rural area is found absent on more than two occasions during inspection by the Head of the District Health Authority or the Chairman, Zila Parishad, the same shall be construed as a misconduct if it is recommended to the Medical Council of India/State Medical Council by the State Government for action under these Regulations.

This violations amounts to professional Misconduct, and hence punishable by the State Medical council, and hence may lead of suspension or even cancellation of licenses in extreme cases.