Fake Doctor Row: Mumbai civic body orders fresh verification of doctors' credentials

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ordered a fresh verification of the degrees, registrations, and credentials of doctors working across its hospitals following the alleged fake doctor controversy at V.N. Desai Hospital, which triggered a heated debate during the civic body's General Body meeting on Tuesday.

According to the news reports, the issue was raised by Leader of the Opposition Kishori Pednekar, while Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi demanded accountability from the civic health administration over the appointment of allegedly unqualified medical professionals.

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The renewed scrutiny follows a fresh notice issued by the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to the Municipal Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VIII), seeking details of the action taken against the doctor, an MBBS graduate from Russia. The doctor allegedly worked in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of V.N. Desai Hospital in Santacruz despite not being registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that following allegations of prolonged inaction despite repeated complaints, the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has issued notices to the BMC commissioner and Mumbai Police regarding the alleged practice by a bogus doctor in civic hospitals, including Jogeshwari Trauma Hospital.

As per the Free Press Journal report, Azmi alleged that despite being barred from V.N. Desai Hospital after his MMC registration was found to be fake, the fake doctor later continued working at the Trauma Care Hospital in Jogeshwari and allegedly drew a salary of around Rs 2.5 lakh. He termed the fresh SHRC notice a "slap on the functioning of the Health Department."

Former Health Committee Chairperson Dr. Archana Bhalerao called for stricter verification mechanisms within the civic healthcare system. She stressed that foreign medical graduates should be permitted to practise in municipal hospitals only after obtaining valid registration from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and other competent authorities. She also sought action against both unregistered doctors and the agencies responsible for appointing them.

Responding to the discussion, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma informed the House that ICU doctor services at BMC hospitals, including V.N. Desai Hospital, had been outsourced through tenders between 2018 and 2024. However, all ICU beds are now being operated directly by the BMC, reports Free Press Journal.

Dr. Sharma stated that Sai Sanjeevani Polyclinic and Nursing Home, the contractor that supplied doctors, was blacklisted in 2024 after the matter came to light, and its payments were stopped. He added that the accused doctor had not obtained MMC registration and that verification of doctors' credentials was the responsibility of the contracting agency under the tender conditions.

Following the discussion, the BMC administration directed all hospital deans and medical superintendents to undertake a fresh verification of the degrees, registrations, and professional credentials of doctors working in municipal healthcare facilities, aiming to prevent similar incidents and strengthen patient safety.

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