Appoint only MBBS Degree Holders As Duty Medical Officers: Telangana Medical Council directs all hospitals

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC) has issued directions to all the Super Speciality Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Clinics, Private Hospitals and Registered Medical Practitioners in the State to only appoint MBBS degree holders as Duty Medical Officers (DMOs). 

Issuing a Circular in this regard on 10.04.2024, the council has also issued strict instructions not to appoint other degree holders such as Pharm D, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, etc as DMOs. The Council has also asked all the consultants practising in the State to get registered with TSMC and renew their registration in time.

Such directions were issued by the Council after it inspected various hospitals and clinics in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area and found several lapses and violations of rules.

The Council noted that most of the hospitals were not displaying the registration numbers issued by medical council against the names of the consultant doctors in the hospital display board.

Further, it found that some of the hospitals were appointing Pharm D degree holders as Duty Medical Officers, and such officers were also tasked to write the case sheets of the patients.

Apart from this, the Council also came to know that many hospitals were appointing AYUSH doctors as DMOs, and few of the consultants from other States were practicing in Telangana without registering in TSMC. Some of the Consultants were found to be practicing without the renewal of registration with TSMC.

Also Read: Telangana Medical Council Continues Battle Against Quackery: 2 more FIRs Filed Against Unqualified Practitioners

Taking note of the situation, TSMC ordered in its latest circular, "In this connection, the Telangana State Medical Council is directing all the Super Speciality Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Clinics, Private Hospitals and also the Registered Medical Practitioners in the State to appoint only MBBS degree holders as DMO's. The TSMC strictly instruct not to appoint other degree holders like Pharm D, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS etc., as Duty Medical Officers and also see that all consultants who are practicing in Telangana State should get registered/renewed in TSMC."

Meanwhile, the Council has also advised the patients to verify the genuineness of the doctors online by using the Doctor Search option.

"It is further instructed that while appointing the doctors, the appointing authority may verify the genuinity of the doctors with the consultation of TSMC, you can also verify through online by using Doctor Search option," the Circular stated.

"If any violations occurred, the TSMC will take appropriate action as per TSMRP Act and NMC Act 2019," the Council further clarified.

Earlier this year, Telangana Government authorities issued an ultimatum to the medical establishments in the State and asked them to ensure that they have proper registration. The authorities asked them to register or renew their registration at the earliest in case they lacked the requirement. The health facilities were warned of action under the Clinical Establishments Act if they failed to adhere to these instructions.

Meanwhile, aiming to eradicate quackery in the State, TSMC has been filing several FIRs against quacks engaging in the practice of modern medicine and prescribing scheduled drugs.

Earlier, the Council had also complained to the Ayush Board to take necessary action against the following doctors who possess only BAMS, BHMS & BUMS degrees but are illegally practicing Allopathic Medicine without MBBS Qualification.

Also Read: Register or face action: Medical Establishments in Telangana Get Ultimatum