The Kerala State Medical Councils (KSMC) is preparing to develop a comprehensive directory of modern medicine practitioners, listing their names, registration numbers, and verified qualifications. This initiative is part of efforts to detect unregistered doctors and practitioners operating without proper registration with the Council of Modern Medicine under KSMC.
According to officials, the creation of this directory aligns with the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2020, and the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021, which mandate registration with KSMC for practising modern medicine in the state. However, it has been discovered that several doctors practicing modern medicine have yet to register their MBBS degrees or additional qualifications such as MD, MS, DNB, DM, MCh, or DrNB with the council.
In some cases, practitioners have been found displaying unregistered credentials, including memberships in medical societies or academies not officially recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC). KSMC has warned that practising with such unapproved qualifications is a punishable offence under current medical regulations.
Instances of hospital managements publicizing doctors’ qualifications and photos through print and social media advertisements have also been flagged. The KSMC has issued a caution, stating that strict action will be taken against individuals or institutions engaging in such practices without adherence to regulatory standards.
The council has requested that hospital authorities submit the names, registration numbers, and qualifications of their doctors by October 31, 2024. These details must be emailed to ksmcdoctorlist@gmail.com. In addition to compiling the data, the council aims to establish an online portal that will allow the public to verify the registration and qualifications of modern medicine practitioners working in Kerala.
All practitioners of modern medicine in Kerala have been instructed to register both their primary MBBS degree and any additional qualifications with the Council of Modern Medicine. Doctors are also required to display their registration number, registered qualifications, and a legally attested copy of their registration certificate at their place of practice. Only qualifications and credentials registered with the KSMC may appear on prescriptions, seals, and letterheads. Furthermore, doctors are permitted to practice only in the specialties in which they hold registered qualifications.
Medical institutions across the state, including hospitals, medical colleges, and clinics, must verify the original registration certificates of their employed practitioners to confirm their eligibility. These institutions are also required to maintain attested copies of the registration certificates and ensure that display boards feature the doctors’ names, qualifications, additional qualifications, and registration numbers.
Meanwhile, the rules for implementing the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021 have yet to be officially notified. According to KSMC sources, the Department of Law is currently working on finalizing these regulations to provide further clarity and enforce the provisions effectively.
This initiative by the KSMC is seen as a significant step toward enhancing transparency and accountability in the healthcare system, ensuring that patients receive care from properly registered and qualified medical professionals.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)