Maharashtra Medical Council to inquire into alleged signing of lab reports by suspended Pathologist
Mumbai: Alleging that a Pune-based doctor has been signing multiple pathology reports despite having her medical registration suspended, the doctors have lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), the State Public Health Department, and Pune District Collector.
In the complaint, the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM) mentioned last Tuesday that the matter regarding the concerned doctor, Dr Mohan, came to light after an insurance company flagged irregularities in laboratory reports bearing the signature of the said doctor.
Allegedly, the insurance company shared the records of the pathology reports of a patient from a private multi-speciality hospital in Jejuri. The reports were signed by the doctor in question.
MAPPM has alleged that the doctor continued to sign reports even after disciplinary action was taken against her by the medical council, which also removed her name from the council registry.
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Medical Dialogues had earlier reported on how, taking action against Dr. Mohan, a pathologist, for allowing to use her signature in multiple pathology reports from Private Labs even though she did not supervise those reports, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) had removed her name from the Medical Register for three years.
MMC had noted that while the doctor had multiple attachments with Private Pathology Labs, such laboratories were located at places which made it impossible for any individual to attend daily. Meanwhile, the name and the signature of the concerned doctor were used as a routine as well as Insurance Claim reports.
Even though the doctor was suspended for six months back in the year 2021, she allegedly continued signing multiple pathology reports and when she was issued notice by the Commission, she chose not to respond to the same. Apart from these allegations, the Council also found that the doctor had not responded to the communication/notices of the Council from 2019 and had not renewed the Registration since 2012. Further, she was found practicing in Maharashtra without any valid licence.
After considering the entire matter, the MMC Administrator on December 26, 2024, decided to remove the doctor's registration or her name from the Register maintained u/sec 16 of the MMC Act for a period of three (3) years.
Now, highlighting that Dr. Mohan had been signing lab reports despite being suspended by the medical council, a complaint has been filed.
"This is to bring to your notice that despite suspension of Dr Mohan for 3 years from Maharashtra Medical Council, her name, signature and qualifications are being used in pathology laboratory. Please find attached report for your reference," the complaint filed by Dr. Prasad Kulkarni, executive member of the MAPPM, said.
Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Kulkarni explained that having suspicion, the insurance company sent the reports to the association. "MMC has already removed her name for three years. If she is not registered, she is not authorised to sign the lab reports," he explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mohan has refused allegations and told Hindustan Times, "I have not given any signature anywhere. Since the suspension of my name from the registry, I am not practising anywhere at present."
MMC President, Dr. Vinky Rughwani, has confirmed receiving the complaint. He told HT that signing laboratory reports without having a valid registration is unacceptable, and it can be treated as a practice by an unregistered practitioner and is liable for criminal action. He added, "The council will conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter. We have received the complaint and will examine the allegations as per due process before taking further action."
Also Read: Lending Signatures, expired License: Maha Pathologist suspended for 3 years
