Absentia signing with multiple labs: Maharashtra Medical Council suspends pathologist for 6 months

Mumbai: Taking stern action against a pathologist on account of Absetia signing of pathology reports in labs in more than 10 areas together, the Maharashtra Medical Council has now suspended the doctor for a period of 6 months.

This came after the council found that the doctor was practicing in between Ghatkopar to Kurla and signing on multiple reports in areas like Thane, Ulhasnagar, Dombivall, Badlapur, Nalasopara, Bhiwandi, Vashi Mulund, etc. Besides this, the doctor was also revealed to be associated with Dr. P.S.I Medical College, Chinoutpalli (Andhra Pradesh) as an Asst. Professor.

The action came after Dr. Rajesh Butala, Secretary, Thane Pathologists Association filed a complaint with the medical council to take legal action against pathologist Dr Doshi who was issuing pathology reports without supervision, quality control, and clinical correlation. The council then decided to conduct an inquiry and also sought response from the concerned pathologist post which both the parties ( the complainant and the pathologist) were called for a hearing . After scrutiny of complaints and papers on hearing of both the parties Ethical Committee observed that,

a. Dr. Sanket Doshi (Respondent) is practicing in between Ghatkopar to Kurla and signing on multiple reports in areas like Thane, Ulhasnagar, Dombivall, Badlapur, Nalasopara, Bhiwandi, Vashi Mulund, etc. 

b. Secondly, after perusal of MCl website committee, has observed that Dr. Doshi (Respondent) is associated with Dr. P.S.I Medical College, Chinoutpalli (Andhra Pradesh) as an Asst. Prof. 

C. Committee further observed that Dr. Doshi (Respondent) appeared for inquiry in the MMC office. Whereby, his wife has signed a pathology report for which she is not eligible. 

The ethics committee of the council then decided to frame charges against the pathologist and charge-sheeted the doctor.

The pathologist admitted charges/facts at the time of the hearing and showed an inability to file the defense affidavit. The advocate for the doctor further accepted the guilt and shown ready to accept the punishment. Further, he prayed to be merciful in giving minimum punishment. He stated that the doctor is going from a rough patch of his life and that his wife was detected with breast cancer, pointing out that his wife is sick, the son is taking education and for a living, he had to do something for earnings.

He confessed that the doctor had decided to rent his digital signature to the other pathology labs and requested the council to take lenient as per the circumstances as he and his family were under tremendous monitory and mental pressure.

The committee observed that patients get erroneous reports leading to wrong diagnosis and or delay treatment. This is causing major health hazards. Thus, laboratories are charging a huge sum of money to innocent patients and playing with their life. This leads to serious violations of basic human rights viz right of health.

It has been noticed that Dr. Doshi (Respondent) has offered his name and/ signatures to these illegal laboratories. Dr. Sanket Doshi (Respondent) has not visited these laboratories or not supervised the process of testing on a regular basis. Dr. Doshi (Respondent) has given signatures on blank letterheads of laboratory so that laboratory utilizes these afterward. Thus, Dr. Doshi (Respondent) pretends that the reports are being certified by him. It is the unethical practice by pathologists causing an effect on the health of people at large. There is the menace of malpractice and unindicted investigations leading to an economic loss of patients. 

The medical council then made note of the Supreme Court judgment that sets the baseline law for the signing of pathology reports as well as the various directions of MCI/MMC in this regard which clearly state that no practitioner shall sign any clinical, lab/radiological reports, professional documents unless he/she is directly involved in conducting such tests and reports. Council also warned practitioners to refrain and avoid signing multiple reports without supervision. 

Thus holding the doctor guilty for his multiple attachments where he had  given his pre-signed signature pads and has manipulated, jeopardized the public interest at large 

Thus, for the gross violation of professional misconduct and code of ethics as enumerated under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation 2002, r/w section 22 of MMC Act. 1965 and charged under article 1.1.1 1.1.2, 1.2.1, 1.4.1 of chapter 1, article 3.7.2 of chapter 3 r/w. article 7.7 of chapter 7 of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulation 2002 as well as failed to maintain the dignity of the profession and failed to mention the Registration Number on the reports, allow associates to misuse or permit to attend laboratories on behalf of Dr. Doshi (Respondent). Further violated Article 1.9 of Chapter l for evasion of legal restriction as simultaneously working in private as well as government sector violating the employment norms of the state MCI and same is highly objectionable in the medical fraternity. Thereby, negligent and involved in gross professional misconduct although admitted by Dr. Doshi (Respondent) and his advocate due to financial stress as well as for mental stress.

The council then gave its order in the matter

Therefore, the Council has sentenced to remove the Registration No. 90280 of Dr. Sanket Doshi (Respondent) for 6 months from Register of the Council from the date of the order. The said punishment of removal of registration shall be implemented after the appeal period is over.

You can read the full order by clicking on the following link

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/pdf_upload-133399.pdf

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