Telangana doctors urge medical council action against non-MBBS duty medical officers in private hospitals

Hyderabad: Opposing the engagement of non-MBBS-qualified persons as Duty Medical Officers in private hospitals, a doctors' body recently submitted a representation before the Telangana Medical Council (TGMC).

According to the doctors under the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, the representation was submitted primarily to protect patient safety, maintain professional standards and ensure compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.

The association highlighted the issue of private hospitals and nursing homes engaging non-MBBS-qualified persons, including AYUSH practitioners, paramedical staff and unqualified individuals, as Duty Medical Officers (DMOs)/Casualty Medical Officers.

In its representation, the association pointed out that the DMO is often the first clinical point of contact for patients in emergency and inpatient settings and is required to assess patients, identify red-flag conditions, initiate emergency management and take timely decisions regarding escalation or referral. 

"Engaging persons without an MBBS qualification for such responsibilities can pose serious risks to patient safety, quality of care and medico-legal compliance," it said.

The association has requested the Medical Council to take appropriate regulatory measures. Such measures include issuance of a formal directive to private hospitals, nursing homes and emergency/diagnostic care centres that DMO/Casualty Medical Officer posts must be staffed by appropriately qualified and currently registered medical practitioners, conducting periodic and surprise inspections, including verification of duty rosters, to ensure compliance.

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Further, HRDA has urged the Council to take appropriate penal and administrative action against establishments employing unqualified persons in clinical decision-making roles, issue clear guidelines regarding the permissible scope of practice of AYUSH and paramedical personnel, particularly in emergency and duty-officer roles, and establish a mechanism through which doctors and professional associations can confidentially report instances of non-compliance for investigation and necessary action.

Urging the Council to take urgent action, the association has expressed its willingness to provide specific instances and supporting documentation to TGMC, if required.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues in this regard, the President of the Association, Dr. N. Karthik said, "Engaging Homeopathic, Ayurveda, Unani or other non-MBBS practitioners as Duty Doctors to provide allopathic treatment is unacceptable and puts patient safety at serious risk. A Duty Doctor is often the first person responsible for assessing a critically ill patient, identifying emergencies and taking immediate clinical decisions. Such responsibilities cannot be entrusted to persons who are not qualified to practise allopathic medicine."

"This is not merely a professional issue—it is a patient-safety issue. Hospitals cannot compromise the quality and safety of medical care by employing inadequately qualified personnel for clinical duties, merely for convenience or cost-cutting. We have therefore urged the TGMC to issue clear, statewide and enforceable directions, conduct inspections wherever necessary, and initiate appropriate action against establishments that violate the applicable professional and regulatory requirements. Patient safety cannot be compromised. Allopathic treatment must be provided by qualified and registered allopathic doctors," he added.

Medical Dialogues has been reporting on the Telangana Medical Council's continuous statewide crackdown on quackery and illegal medical practice. The Council has been conducting inspections and identifying unauthorised clinics and first aid centres allegedly operating without valid qualifications or legal authorisation.

In June, TGMC raided three allopathic clinics in Saidabad and Singareni Colony on Friday, exposing practitioners who were allegedly practising allopathic medicine illegally and displaying false qualifications.

Last month, the Council initiated action against an organisation after a surprise inspection revealed that it was allegedly conducting unauthorised aesthetic procedures training programmes. Expressing concern over the matter, the Council had noted that aesthetic procedures and related training must be conducted only by appropriately qualified and competent professionals in accordance with established medical standards and regulatory norms. 

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