Patient privacy breach, medical student exploitation, academic victimisation: NMC seeks report by GMC Bundi over allegations against doctor
Misconduct
New Delhi: Taking cognisance of a complaint alleging exploitation and academic victimisation of a medical student and professional misconduct by a doctor, the Anti-Ragging Cell of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has sought an Action Taken Report from the Government Medical College, Bundi, Rajasthan.
NMC issued directions to the Dean/Principal of GMC Bundi after receiving a confidential complaint regarding the matter.
"The National Medical Commission (NMC) has received a confidential complaint raising serious concerns regarding the professional conduct and social media activities of Dr. ***, stated to be associated with Government Medical College, Bundi, Rajasthan, particularly in connection with the Instagram account @***," NMC Anti-Ragging Cell mentioned in a communication addressed to the Dean/Principal of GMC Bundi.
What are the allegations?
The complaint included allegations of recording and publication of photographs/videos of deceased persons on social media, raising concerns regarding their dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and the requisite consent.
Further, the complaint alleged that a medical student was engaged in editing Instagram Reels/videos without payment and possible use of professional or institutional authority for obtaining such services. The said student allegedly had to face academic victimisation- this included supplementary examinations in two subjects and detention in one subject, with concerns regarding possible improper influence or retaliation.
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NMC Action:
Taking serious note of the matter, NMC has asked the medical college to examine the matter comprehensively and furnish point-wise comments on each allegation, along with a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR), within 24 hours.
The college has been asked to clarify whether the doctor is/was associated with the College. The Commission has also sought to know his designation, department, nature and period of appointment.
NMC has further sought to know whether the Instagram account is owned or operated by the said doctor. The college has been asked to verify the account and comment on the content published there.
The Commission has also sought to know whether photographs/videos of deceased persons, patients or clinical activities were recorded or published by the concerned doctor or any person associated with the College, whether the requisite consent was obtained before recording or publishing such content and whether patient confidentiality and dignity were adequately protected, whether the College has examined the said social media content in light of applicable NMC professional ethics regulations and guidelines, whether the concerned student is/was a student of the College, whether the doctor engaged or requested the said student to edit Instagram Reels/videos or other social media content, whether any payment/remuneration was made to the student for the work performed, whether the student was subjected to any pressure, coercion or inducement to undertake such work, particularly work unrelated to his academic responsibilities.
The Commission also sought details of the student's subject-wise academic and examination status, including supplementary examination results and the grounds for detention. It also questioned the college whether the student's examination, assessment, and detention were in accordance with applicable University/NMC regulations and prescribed criteria, whether any complaint or representation was received from the student regarding harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or retaliation, whether any direct or indirect interference or pressure by the doctor or any other faculty member influenced the student's academic assessment or progression.
Besides, the college has been asked to clarify whether the college constituted any committee or initiated an inquiry into the allegations, what mechanism are in place to protect students from intimidation, coercion, academic harassment or retaliation for reporting grievances, and what immediate and preventive action has been taken or proposed by the College.
NMC has warned that "No student shall be subjected to intimidation, harassment, discrimination or academic victimisation for reporting a genuine concern or cooperating with the inquiry."
The Commission has also issued the following directions:
1) Relevant records, including social media content, screenshots, institutional communications, examination records and other documentary/electronic evidence, shall be preserved to prevent deletion, alteration or destruction.
2) The inquiry, wherever required, shall be conducted impartially by an appropriate committee, preferably without the involvement of persons against whom allegations have been made.
3) The academic assessment and progression of the concerned student shall remain governed strictly by applicable regulations and established procedures, without any extraneous influence.
"The reply shall be comprehensive, point-wise, and supported by relevant documentary evidence, including copies of the inquiry report, committee proceedings, examination records, applicable institutional orders, and details of action taken, wherever available. A mere general statement denying the allegations shall not be considered an adequate response," NMC added.
UDF Seeks Impartial Inquiry:
Raising the issue, the United Doctors Front (UDF) has also demanded an impartial inquiry into the matter. Highlighting the issue on X, UDF Chairperson Dr. Lakshya Mittal wrote, "The @NMC_BHARAT has sought Report within 24 hours from Government Medical College, Bundi, Rajasthan. This raises serious allegations involving publication of deceased persons’ photographs/videos on Instagram, alleged unpaid Reel-editing work extracted from a medical student, & possible academic victimisation, including supplementary examinations and detention. Patient dignity is non-negotiable. Students must never be exploited or academically victimised for raising concerns. @UDF_BHARAT’ urge an impartial inquiry, protection of the student’s identity, preservation of evidence & accountability. Medical education must uphold ethics, not enable exploitation."
Also Read: NMC Seeks Action Taken Report from Churu Medical College Over Ragging Allegations
