Nagaland Medical Council calls for adherence to ethical medical practices

Kohima: The Nagaland Medical Council (NMC) constituted under the Nagaland Medical Council Act of 2014 has issued directives to promote and safeguard ethical and safe practices among medical practitioners.

Through a press release, the council has emphasized the significance of enforcing the Nagaland Health Care Establishment (NHCE) Act, 1997, an act to regulate the setting up of private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other such centres run by voluntary organisations catering to diagnostic, investigative, operative and other health care services.

It stands for rendering service to society with full respect for the dignity of the medical profession and that of every citizen. The council also promotes continued medical education (CME), and ethical and safe practice of allopathic medical practitioners.

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"In adherence to guidelines set by the National Medical Commission/MCI (Medical Council of India), the NMC meticulously verifies relevant documents before issuing registration certificates to all allopathic (MBBS) doctors and regulates CME activities, awarding credit hours/points in line with established norms," reads the press release.

Further, the council highlighted several key points which include:

Mandatory Registration for Doctors

All MBBS doctors, whether they intend to work in the government or private sector in Nagaland, must be registered with the council as mandated in the ‘Nagaland Medical Council Act 2014’, chapter III, section 16(6). This includes Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), who must clear the NMC/MCI exam for FMGs before registration.

Health Centre Registration

All healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, must be registered in Nagaland with the Department of Health and Family Welfare under the NHCE Act, 1997 to operate legally. Treating patients at centres registered only with a pharmacy license or any other trade license will be illegal.

Inclusion of Various Clinics

All health centres including dental clinics, AYUSH clinics and clinical laboratories come under the NHCE Act, 1997, and pharmacy licensing comes under the drug control which is under the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Prohibition of Private Practice by Government Doctors

"It is wrong and unethical for any in-service doctor in government service, after availing (and opting) for NPA (non-practising allowance) to indulge in private practice, because it is definitely a violation of government service rules. Despite being a longstanding concern, no concrete actions have been taken despite an investigation report by the Vigilance Department and subsequent directives from the Medical Department," it added.

Reminding that the NHCE Act, 1997, Clause 8.1.C explicitly states that state-employed doctors, nurses, and paramedics cannot work in private healthcare establishments, allowing only home-based consultations, the council stated "That no doctor, nurse or any paramedic or any other employee in the employment of the state government shall be employed in such health care establishment. This clearly implies that no government doctors can own a clinic or work in private hospitals and allows apparently only for consultation in a home-based office room."

Accordingly, the council requested various associations to educate their members and disseminate correct information to prevent a few erring members from tarnishing the image of the entire fraternity.

Ethical Practice and Verification

The NMC expressed concern over allopathic doctors from outside coming to Nagaland to practice without proper verification and registration for health camps or as visiting consultants, FMGs practising without passing the required exams, and pharmacies operating without qualified pharmacists or with government doctors and mushrooming of unregistered health centres promoting quackery under the guise of alternative medicines, etc. As a result, the council urged for stringent monitoring and enforcement of the NHCE Act to prevent such practices and maintain ethical standards.

“Therefore, it is very important and relevant to strengthen the NHCE authority and activate its ‘District Inspection Team’- the district inspection team which includes members from the district administration and the district health authority, to strictly monitor and implement the NHCE Act, 1997, on yearly time bound manner. Further for any other complaints pertaining to alleged professional misconduct, the matter may be addressed to appropriate authority,” it added.

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