MCI issues alert over fake notices, circulars; Warns of action

The MCI has also warned of strict action against the guilty for circulating fake information on social media.

The effect was announced in a recently issued notice wherein the apex medical council clearly stated that it has come to the notice of the Board of Governors in Supersession of the Medical Council of India that a fake letter shown below is circulating in social media. It is brought to the attention of all concerned that there is no such letter issued by BoG, MCI.

Apparently, the recent forged circular that was circulated via unknown persons saying that all MBBS students will be recruited to fight the virus; was so carefully drafted that it nearly seemed genuine enough to rely on. The fake notice issued in the name of MCI's Secretary-General Dr RK Vats to all Deans and Principals of Government and Private Medical Colleges was regarding the advisory for UG classes in view of coronavirus epidemic which had mentioned "in view of the increasing spread, we may need assistance in health care. Therefore, all Government/Private Medical Colleges are advised to recruit all MBBS Undergraduate Interns and students of Part•II of 3rd MBBS starting 3rd April. Other UG courses shall remain suspended. All State/UT Govt. and Universities are to be taken full responsibilities of training, preventing and transport of these students."

This fabricated notice was later circulated all over the social media.

Therefore, bashing the false information, the MCI has said that it has not issued any notice to the said effect and urged the concerned students and other authorities to be rely only on the notices posted on the official website of medical regulatory bodies.

"Please note that all important Letters, Circular and Public Notice are posted on the Medical Council of India website i.e. www.mciindia.org It is advised to check the website of MCI for genuine notices, circulars and letters. Moreover these are sent to the State /UT Govts. DMEs, VCs, Dean/Principals of medical colleges and a copy is sent to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India."

"All concerned are alerted to rely upon genuine letters, circulars and notices available on MCI website only."

Meanwhile, the Medical Council of India is initiating action under the relevant law against such fake messages in social media, the notice added.

The notice as issued by the MCI and uploaded on its official website is attached below:

Earlier, it was reported that clutching to all hands-on deck approach in the medical fraternity's battle against ongoing deadly coronavirus epidemic, the Union Health Ministry and MCI were considering to expand the healthcare force by primarily by increasing the young manpower. The authorities have been mulling for a provisional permit to 5th-year MBBS medicos who are set to get their UG degree as well as the retired but practising medical practitioners so to handle the COVID 19 cases. However, there is no concrete plan on this matter as of yet.