54 doctors on suspension list

Acting on a directive of the Bombay High Court,the state government has sent a list of 54 doctors to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) seeking their suspension for violating provisions of the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act.

Acting on a directive of the Bombay High Court,the state government has sent a list of 54 doctors to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) seeking their suspension for violating provisions of the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act.

Dr Asaram Khade,head of the Maharashtra PC-PNDT nodal cell told The Indian Express that 39 of the 54 doctors on the list have been convicted and the remaining 15 have charges framed against them in courts. Besides,two lists of seven doctors each have been sent to the Ayurveda and Homeopathy Council for similar action.

The Bombay HC in its order on October 22 had directed MMC to suspend doctors convicted for violating the Act and take action against those against whom charges have been framed. The HC had stated that names of medical practitioners who have flouted the Act be reported to the medical council by the authority implementing the Act for action.

The action includes suspension of registration till the case is disposed of if charges have been framed in court. In case of conviction in a lower court,the doctor would not be allowed to practise until the case is disposed of by an appellate court.

Those convicted will be struck off the council register for five years for the first offence (unless the higher courts absolve the doctor),and permanently for a subsequent offence. According to Khade,MMC had placed 20 doctors under temporary suspension while one doctor,Dr M Nagane,has been permanently suspended. Twelve doctors,most of them from Pune have been issued a warning.

Most of the doctors convicted by courts for flouting sections of the PC-PNDT Act are from Pune,Nagar,Solapur,Pimpri-Chinchwad,Kolhapur,Beed,Nanded,Jalgaon ,Satara and Latur.

In 11 cases where suspension notices had been issued,doctors had obtained a stay from courts.

Story continues below this ad

Acting on the HC order,the state has sent MMC a list of doctors charged and /or convicted for flouting the PC-PNDT Act, Khade said. When contacted,MMC executive member Dr Shivkumar Utture said the court order would help them take quick action.

Once charges are framed against a doctor for flouting the Act,notice is sent to them. Some of those against whom notices were sent earlier had obtained stays from courts,delaying action on them,he added. The order has made it easier for the MMC to take action against doctors against whom charges have been framed. MMC member Dr Sanjay Gupte said the HC order would expedite action on erring doctors. He stressed the need for local level authorities implementing the Act sensitising doctors and creating better awareness of the Act.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories