The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a strong warning to medical college faculty members about using fake fingerprints to mark attendance in the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS). This decision comes after an assistant professor from a Raipur-based medical college reported widespread misuse of silicon thumb impressions for attendance. He also raised issues about non-payment of salaries and unethical attendance recording.

In a public notice dated July 23, 2024, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC stressed that faculty members must personally mark their attendance in the AEBAS connected to the NMC at their respective colleges. The notice warned of strict actions against any impersonation attempts.

The assistant professor’s letter, also sent to several government and investigative bodies, explained how the college management manipulated the AEBAS system. It detailed how the college employed doctors on a part-time basis but falsely presented them as full-time faculty to the NMC without proper payment. The letter claimed that the college management retained thumbprint impressions of the faculty to create fake silicon fingerprints for recording daily attendance.

It also alleged that the college had used advance notice of NMC inspections to stage the presence of fake patients in hospitals for inspection purposes in an attempt to secure favorable inspection reports through bribery. These allegations have serious implications for the integrity of the inspection process and the regulatory framework of the NMC.

Amidst these allegations, surprise inspections have been demanded of the NMC to check whether the faculty is indeed present and to probe biometric data misuse. The assistant professor has also demanded that an enquiry be conducted in the financial records of the said college and other malpractices.

The letter finally warned that a PIL would be filed in the Supreme Court of India, roping in all stakeholders if these irregularities were not mended. The NMC is insistent on taking speedy and suitable action to regain the credibility of this regulatory framework and ensure the safety and integrity of medical education within India.

The assistant professor’s letter also revealed that the college management appointed 90% of the faculties solely for NMC surprise inspections and required their attendance only on the joining day. The management allegedly took thumbprint impressions at the time of joining and used these to create fake silicon fingerprints for daily AEBAS records. Further allegations included non-payment of salaries, threats against filing complaints, and using fake patients for inspections.

The doctor demanded immediate action and legal measures against the college management, highlighting the need to prevent such unethical practices and ensure justice for the affected faculty members. The NMC’s prompt and appropriate response is crucial to maintaining the integrity of medical education and safeguarding the careers of medical professionals.

The way the NMC is going to respond to these allegations is going to set precedence for the future. Of primary importance is that such concerns are addressed in a transparent fashion and that all medical colleges abide by ethical standards. It is a matter of credibility for the medical education system of India, and by stringent enforcement of regulations, the restoration of trust can be done. Faculty and students are looking up to the NMC to take a definite call, not only to stop further exploitation, but also for the enviable standards of medical education to be sustained in this country.

Once again, what is brought to the forefront is the fact that vigilance and accountability within educational institutions cannot be overemphasized. Integrity in the medical profession calls for not only honest practice but also ethical teaching and management. These are principles that the NMC will uphold to protect the interests of currently enrolled and future medical professionals by ensuring quality education and fairness. The entire medical fraternity will watch this investigation very closely, praying that justice and reforms emanate from it to strengthen the system as a whole.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Prerna Lal/MSM)