Registration crisis! AIIMS resident doctors demand immediate revival of Delhi Medical Council
New Delhi: Stressing the administrative standstill caused by the non-functionality of the Delhi Medical Council and its impact on doctors working in Delhi, the resident doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, have urged the Chief Minister of Delhi to restore the functioning of DMC promptly.
The Delhi Medical Council is an autonomous statutory body enacted under the Delhi Medical Council Act 1997 to regulate the practice of the modern system of medicine in Delhi. DMC also ensures that private doctors in the city are following ethical practices. The council comprises 25 members, including eight elected by around 100,000 registered allopathic doctors in the city, one by the 20,000-member Delhi Medical Association, 10 by medical college faculties, four government nominees, and two former officials.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Delhi Government had sent the proposal amid allegations of mismanagement and irregularities in the functioning of the Council. Meanwhile, the Delhi Health Department tasked the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to oversee the functions of the Council until a new body is formed. Back in June, acting on the recommendations made by the Delhi Government, the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) dissolved the DMC, citing serious lapses.
The resident doctors at AIIMS, New Delhi, have pointed out that due to the current administrative standstill, a large number of doctors working in premier institutions such as AIIMS, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, MAMC, LHMC, and several other hospitals across Delhi are unable to obtain their medical council registration.
In their letter addressed to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, the association mentioned, "This situation has created significant administrative and professional challenges. Many doctors who have come from different parts of the country to serve in Delhi are unable to complete the mandatory registration process, which has in turn led to delays in salary disbursals, processing of appointment formalities, and difficulties in continuing their duties legally within the state."
Highlighting the crucial role these doctors play in maintaining the functioning of Delhi's healthcare system, especially in government and tertiary care hospitals, the resident doctors at AIIMS Delhi have requested the Chief Minister and Health Minister's urgent intervention to resolve this matter.
"Immediate steps to either operationalise the DMC or provide a provisional registration mechanism would greatly help in alleviating the distress faced by hundreds of doctors currently serving the citizens of Delhi. We trust that your esteemed offices will take prompt action to restore the functioning of the Delhi Medical Council and ensure that medical professionals can continue their duties without administrative hindrance," read the letter.
Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Y Saikaustubh said, "We just want the DMC functioning optimally - it hasn't since June; because it affects the registration, practice of many residents, newly passed out FMGE and interns who need registration."
"Even though the DGHS has been appointed as the Interim Registrar, DMC is lagging behind in all its works. It becomes all the more important since many new joinees from NEET counselling will also be affected," he added.
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