Mumbai Doctors suspended - Fusion - WeRindia

Two doctors were suspended by Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) for putting up advertisements. This is first time that MMC has suspended the registration of doctors.

The two doctors who provide infertility treatment in Mumbai put up ads. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the fertilization treatments used for infertility. Under this process, fertilization takes place in culture dish in a laboratory after mixing the eggs removed from the ovaries with sperm. Later the fertilized egg will be placed in the patient’s uterus. The cost of this treatment ranges from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.2 lakh.

As many childless couples are interested in this treatment since 1980s, several doctors are claiming guarantee treatment. Many corporate hospitals entered in this field. Since due to a huge competition, some hospitals put doctors’ names in advertisements. Their main aim is to get many patients by attracting them in various ways.

But, Indian Medical Council’s code of ethics says that doctors cannot solicit patients either directly or indirectly. They cannot make any claims about any of the procedure.

The doctors who are involved in infertility treatment are assuring the patients that their treatment will give complete results. And if the patients do not get the results their money will be refunded. Thus, they are giving advertisements which is a violation against of code of ethics of Medical Council of India.

So, MMC issued warning letters on this matter for which they gave an apology letter. But, again they put up advertisements. Hence, due to a violation of medical ethics, the doctors were suspended by MMC. As their registration was suspended for three months, they cannot practise for the coming three months.

The action was taken by MMC according to the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.

MMC is a statutory body. It has powers to suspend a doctor’s licence if any doctor is found guilty of malpractice. Doctors should register with MMC to practise in Maharashtra. More than 70,000 doctors are registered with the MMC.

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