CAG Exposes Medical Council Lapse: 248 Doctors Granted NOC Without Fulfilling Bond Conditions
Dehradun: Highlighting issues in the functioning of the Uttrakhand Medical Council, the Performance Audit Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) revealed that 248 bonded doctors obtained NOC from the medical council without fulfilling the conditions of the bond.
This was reflected in the CAG Report on Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services for the year ended 31 March 2022. Among the several issues that the report discussed includes the functioning of the State Medical Council. One of the issues the CAG pointed out was regarding bonded doctors obtaining NOC from the State Medical Council without complying with the bond conditions.
"Lack of coordination between the Medical College, DG, MH&FW and State Medical Council allowed 248 bonded doctors to obtain NOC from the State Medical Council without fulfilling the conditions of the bond," the report mentioned.
This was accepted by the State Medical Council as well and the Council further stated that the issuance of NOC to the bonded candidates cannot be restricted by the State Medical Council without the coordination of all departments, mentioned the report.
Meanwhile, the government replied in November 2022 that no information regarding bonded doctors had been received earlier in Uttarakhand Medical Council.
Uttarakhand Medical Council was established (December 2002) under the Uttaranchal Medical Council Act, 2002 for fulfilling the aims and the objectives as laid down in the Act.
The main function of the Council is to register the qualified medical persons who possess the qualifications recognized by the Medical Council of India. The Council also keeps a register of bio-data of the qualified doctors and keeps a watch on the conduct and ethics practised by medical professionals.
Further, it also conducts inquiry on the receipt of complaints against the registered medical practitioners and if found guilty, may award such punishment, as per applicable Rules.
Records of the Council revealed that the prescribed number of meetings as required were not held by the Governing Body and Executive Body. Referring to this, the CAG report mentioned, "This would negatively impact on: timely decisions on misconduct by medical practitioners resulting in reprimand/suspension/removal from list of registered practitioners; lack of timely action on complaints from the public (including patients and their relatives) against misconduct or negligence by a medical practitioners; Delay in finalising amendments and to prescribe a code of ethics for regulating the professional Conduct of practitioners."
Apart from this, the CAG also noted that the medical council had intimated the Government to act against 34 Path Laboratory operating against the medical ethics in the State. However, action at the DRA level was still pending.
Also Read: CAG Report Highlights Staff Shortages, Delays in Healthcare Projects in Maharashtra
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