West Bengal Medical Council Reinstates registration of Dr Santanu Sen

Kolkata: Days after cancelling the registration of former Rajya Sabha MP and Trinamool Congress leader Dr Santanu Sen, the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) has reinstated his medical registration.

The cancellation stemmed from allegations of making unsubstantiated claims about holding a foreign medical degree. Dr Sen was writing this fellowship on his letterhead along with MBBS and post-graduation qualifications.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Calcutta High Court dismissed the West Bengal Medical Council's (WBMC) order of suspending the registration of former TMC Rajya Sabha member, Dr Santanu Sen, for two years, over allegations of making unsubstantiated claims about holding a foreign medical degree. Dr Sen, a former president of the Indian Medical Association, was removed from the list of doctors of the West Bengal Medical Council.

In the letter, the WBMC said, "Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) is just a fellowship and not a degree. Dr Sen was writing this fellowship on his letterhead along with MBBS and post-graduation. This was misleading as patients would take it as a foreign degree. This is an infamous conduct.”

Also Read: Calcutta HC quashes WB Medical Council's suspension of Dr Santanu Sen

Prior to the cancellation, the Council had issued a show-cause notice to Dr. Sen, seeking an explanation for his continued use of "FRCP" without registering the credential with the Council. He appeared before the WBMC’s penal and ethics committee on May 21 to present his defense.

During the hearing, the committee clarified that 'FRCP' is a fellowship, not a recognized qualification, and therefore should not be used on prescription letterheads.

Also Read: Dr Santanu Sen moves HC against Suspension by West Bengal Medical Council

Speaking to TOI, Sen on Saturday said, "I hope the WBMC will now think twice before taking such a vindictive step against my doctor colleagues."